US datacenter demand spurs increased fossil fuel pipeline projects as rules are discarded

Why This Matters

Key context: <p>Trump administration has gutted regulations that protect lives and natural resources as pipeline build-out continues</p><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/datacenters--us-">Datacenters</a> are spurring a boom in fossil fuel pipeline projects at a time when the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/trump-administration">Trump administration</a> is gutting rules that protect from disasters along the lines, a <a href="https://environmentalintegrity.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/EIP_Report_TunnelVision_10.28.26.pdf">new review of federal records shows</a>.</p><p>The report, compiled by the Environmental Integrity Project, also found pipelines are being built to meet demand for natural gas exports fueled by wars in Ukraine and Iran. Federal records identified almost 200 pipeline projects that are proposed or in the works, and would collectively span 17,000 miles (27,000km).</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/nov/08/datacenters-fossil-fuel-pipelines-regulations">Continue reading...</a> This development from The Guardian highlights ongoing changes in the sector.