San Antonio Residents Report Gas Odors Near West Side Data Centers
- Environmental groups filed a notice of intent to sue developers on July 22, targeting two far West Side San Antonio data centers over alleged Clean Air Act violations,...
- The facilities feature on-site, or "behind-the-meter," natural-gas plants alongside more than 150 diesel backup generators.
- Had the VoltaGrid-owned power plants and Vantage been subjected to the permitting process simultaneously, a major permit would have been triggered.
Environmental groups filed a notice of intent to sue developers on July 22, targeting two far West Side San Antonio data centers over alleged Clean Air Act violations, according to reports by Texas Public Radio and KSAT.
The legal action centers on Vantage Data Centers campuses located at 14270 Omicron Drive and 5207 Rogers Road. Public Citizen Texas Director Adrian Shelley stated on Texas Public Radio that one campus is operating while the other remains under construction.
Alleged Clean Air Act Violations and Facility Details
The facilities feature on-site, or “behind-the-meter,” natural-gas plants alongside more than 150 diesel backup generators. According to the Environmental Integrity Project, Sierra Club, and Public Citizen, Vantage and power provider VoltaGrid improperly divided the data centers and generating equipment into smaller pollution sources.
Environmental advocates argue this division was intended to qualify the sites for less-stringent state permits rather than undergoing a major permit review.
Had the VoltaGrid-owned power plants and Vantage been subjected to the permitting process simultaneously, a major permit would have been triggered.
Adrian Shelley, Public Citizen Texas Director
Shelley added that a major permit process would mandate public notice, pollution controls, and formal opportunities for nearby residents to submit comments.
Potential Emissions and Community Concerns
Environmental Integrity Project Executive Director Jen Duggan stated that the natural-gas plants could emit particulate matter, nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, and formaldehyde. Duggan also noted that Bexar County already violates federal health standards for ozone.
Local residents have echoed these environmental worries. KSAT reported that residents shared messages detailing strong gas odors and expressing concerns about potential gas leaks near the far West Side infrastructure.
Corporate Responses and Regulatory Timeline
The notice of intent to sue initiates a mandatory 60-day waiting period prior to the filing of a Clean Air Act citizen lawsuit. Duggan stated that the companies were invited to respond following the July 22 filing, but had not done so as of Tuesday.
Vantage and VoltaGrid issued a joint statement responding to the notice, as reported by Texas Public Radio.
Public Citizen and the Sierra Club have issued a notice concerning our San Antonio locations, and Vantage Data Centers is fully cognizant of it. Our organization treats environmental obligations with the utmost seriousness, maintaining a firm dedication to full compliance with all relevant rules and laws.
Vantage Data Centers
The companies added that they have worked closely with appropriate regulatory agencies throughout project development and will review the allegations.
Residents seeking to address the developments can comment on Vantage’s proposed federal operating permit for the Omicron Drive campus at a Texas Commission on Environmental Quality hearing scheduled for 7 p.m. on August 17 in San Antonio.