PROJECT MUSTANGTaylor, Texas Data Center Investigation
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On-Site Generation & Air

Natural-gas generation, backup systems, emissions, and air quality.

Representative photograph of backup generators and electrical infrastructure at a data center in Mesa, Arizona. Not Project Mustang. Photo: Rsparks3 / Wikimedia Commons (CC0 1.0).

The Project Mustang submittal now describes a substantial proposed on-site generation system rather than merely identifying generation as a possible project feature.

Last verified September 5, 2026

What the Current Project Records Show

Official submittal

84–112 gas engines / stacks

The submitted plan lists 84 to 112 gas-unit engines/stacks, with a stated per-unit capacity of 12.5 MW.

Proposed / documented
Arithmetic from submitted figures

Approximately 1.05–1.40 GW nameplate

Multiplying the stated unit count by 12.5 MW yields approximately 1,050 to 1,400 MW of aggregate gas-generator nameplate capacity if all listed units are installed. This is a calculated range, not a confirmed operating output.

Calculated
Official submittal

Separate diesel backup generation

The plan lists 3-MW diesel-fired backup generators and two life-safety backup generators per data-center building. Planning materials also depict emergency/life-safety backup generation.

Proposed / documented
Hearing + submitted schedule

Hearing figure: approximately 1,040 MW

Project representatives described roughly 1,040 MW of on-site generation at the August 18 hearing. The separate Employment Center equipment schedule lists 84–112 units at 12.5 MW each, which implies a broader 1.05–1.40 GW theoretical nameplate range if every listed unit were installed. The discrepancy remains an important item to reconcile as engineering advances.

Hearing + submitted schedule
Proposed / documented

Stacks up to approximately 125 feet

Planning disclosures allow gas-generation stacks up to approximately 125 feet. Exact stack coordinates, diameters, exhaust temperatures and final source locations have not been published.

Proposed / documented
Proposed / documented

Black-start and diesel systems

The current concept includes diesel backup generation for data-center buildings and separate black-start diesel generation in addition to the natural-gas generation system.

Proposed / documented
September 3 regulatory change: The City describes an “EPA Tier 4” air-quality standard as part of the regulations it sought to impose through annexation. Because the annexation and Employment Center applications were withdrawn, this should be treated as a City-described proposed/negotiated standard, not proof of a current Project Mustang permit condition or enforceable operating limit.

Air-Quality Review

The EC Plan states that gas infrastructure must comply with applicable federal, state and local requirements, including applicable air-quality permitting. It also contains an emissions provision for generators and other non-road equipment. These provisions establish proposed compliance requirements; they do not establish that final equipment selections or Project Mustang-specific air permits have been approved.

What Is Still Unknown

  • Final engine manufacturer, model, quantity and operating schedule.
  • Final annual and hourly emissions for the complete campus.
  • Final stack count, stack parameters and dispersion-modeling results.
  • Project-specific TCEQ authorizations applicable to the final generation configuration.
  • How often on-site gas generation would operate relative to grid service.
Official recordCalculatedStill unresolved

Primary sources: Project Mustang Employment Center Plan Submittal, Kimley-Horn, August 7, 2026, City of Taylor case PZ-2026-2715; and August 18, 2026 Taylor Planning & Zoning hearing disclosures. Proposed figures remain subject to later engineering, permitting and site-plan review. Documents & sources →