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TechCrunch · September 16, 2026 · On the brief until September 30, 2026

US data centers could consume more natural gas than Germany and Japan combined by 2035

Environmental ScienceEconomicsOperations
THE AI ANGLE
Driving massive natural gas demand and emissions through data center expansion

Driven by the AI race, U.S. data centers are projected to consume around 18 billion cubic feet of natural gas per day by 2035, outpacing the combined consumption of Germany and Japan. This massive demand growth from both onsite power plants and grid connections could drive up fuel prices for utility ratepayers while generating an additional 1 million metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions daily. For faculty in environmental science, economics, and operations, this highlights the profound energy infrastructure constraints, cost externalities, and carbon impacts tied to digital scaling.

Summary written by AI Business Lens with an AI model from the article at techcrunch.com. It is not the article, and the publisher has not reviewed it. For publishers.

THE TEACHING ANGLE
Instructors can explore the operational trade-offs and economic externalities of bypassing the public grid with private gas generation versus straining utility infrastructure and driving up costs for everyday ratepayers.

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