We used thermal drones to capture the heat pouring from OpenAI's Stargate data center. Then we dug into the records. Our findings: AI power plants in Texas are being built with air permits more commonly meant for dry cleaners than massive industrial facilities. floodlightnews.org/ai-data-cent...

Behind OpenAI's flagship Stargate project is a massive new source of air pollution. In our latest investigation, we revealed how Texas regulators allowed it to move forward without the kind of environmental review typically required for projects of this scale. floodlightnews.org/ai-data-cent...

We flew thermal drones over OpenAI's Stargate facility to capture the gas turbines powering the AI boom. Then we traced the paperwork. Our story reveals a little-known permitting loophole that allows projects like this to progress with minimal public scrutiny. floodlightnews.org/ai-data-cent...

This is what OpenAI's Stargate looks like through a thermal camera. Our drone footage captured gas turbines generating enormous amounts of heat as the company builds one of the country's largest AI data centers. floodlightnews.org/ai-data-cent...

Elon Musk’s AI company, xAI, used unpermitted gas turbines to power the data center behind Grok. Thermal drone footage captured by Floodlight shows the turbines running at a custom-built power plant in Southaven, Mississippi: floodlightnews.org/thermal-dron...

This is Louisiana’s Isle de Jean Charles, a community lost to rising seas. 3 years after they had to leave as part of America's first federally-funded climate relocation, residents say the promised new homes have fallen short. Read more: floodlightnews.org/isle-de-jean...

Trump’s LNG boom is swallowing Gulf Coast wetlands, despite outcry from local residents. “These are the estuaries that supply the seafood that Louisiana's so famous for. But that'll all be backfilled … It’ll change this environment forever.” floodlightnews.org/trump-fueled...

“We can't breathe in these communities. Our children have asthma, our children have cancer, our children have epilepsy... It makes absolutely no sense to approve two or three new LNG facilities here.”

Despite legal challenges and local opposition, Trump declared a national “energy emergency” to fast-track these projects, clearing the way for at least six previously stalled terminals to move forward — including a second LNG terminal at Calcasieu Pass.

Liquefied natural gas, or LNG, is natural gas — a fossil fuel — that has been cooled to a liquid state for easier storage and transportation. The U.S. has been the world’s largest LNG exporter since 2023, exporting roughly 11.9 billion cubic feet a day.

This is the largest liquefied natural gas export terminal in the nation. Calcasieu Pass 1, located in Cameron Parish, Louisiana, has been in operation since 2022 and stretches hundreds of acres.

Ashley Gaignard lives in Donaldsonville, La., less than three miles from the world’s largest ammonia plant. “What hurts the most is we're watching the leaders that we elected … support these companies instead of supporting the community.” floodlightnews.org/louisiana-bl...

Elon Musk’s AI company, xAI, used unpermitted gas turbines to power the data center behind Grok. Thermal drone footage captured by Floodlight shows the turbines running at a custom-built power plant in Southaven, Mississippi: floodlightnews.org/thermal-dron...

Ashley Gaignard lives in Donaldsonville, La., less than three miles from the world’s largest ammonia plant. “What hurts the most is we're watching the leaders that we elected … support these companies instead of supporting the community.” floodlightnews.org/louisiana-bl...

“Our community is already surrounded by pollution. It makes absolutely no sense to approve new LNG facilities here in southwest Louisiana... It’s just like a death sentence.” — environmental advocate Roishetta Ozane. floodlightnews.org/trump-fueled...

Trump’s LNG boom is swallowing Gulf Coast wetlands, despite outcry from local residents. “These are the estuaries that supply the seafood that Louisiana's so famous for. But that'll all be backfilled … It’ll change this environment forever.” floodlightnews.org/trump-fueled...

After Hurricane Sandy, Baba Ndanani's home was so damaged he spent two weeks sleeping on an overturned refrigerator. 13 years later, his Queens community is still waiting for the flood protections it was promised: floodlightnews.org/we-are-forgo...

This is Edgemere, in Queens — a New York City community caught between the ocean and the bay. Devastated by Hurricane Sandy, it remains exposed to rising tides more than a decade later. floodlightnews.org/we-are-forgo...

Today is Dee J. Hall’s last day as editor-in-chief at Floodlight. Under her leadership, our investigations exposed powerful forces stalling climate action and our reach grew across 47 states. Thank you, Dee. More from Dee and our executive director: floodlightnews.org/email/abcae4...

We’re joining 5 other Climate News Task Force newsrooms to offer a shared place to sign up for all our newsletters. It’s a new way to make climate coverage easier to find — and to support the reporting that holds powerful industries accountable. trustfnd.com/collaboratio...

Hossain endured a decade of floods that battered his farmland in Bangladesh. When his daughter was born, he couldn’t afford the hospital bill. Months later, he left for the U.S. — one of many migrants fleeing places repeatedly hit by climate disasters. floodlightnews.org/flooding-and...

This year, Floodlight exposed how utilities shape energy prices, how oil and gas companies influence universities and how local communities are left behind on climate protections. On #GivingTuesday, your support helps us keep publishing investigations like these: floodlightnews.org#/portal/supp...

This is Edgemere, in Queens — a New York City community caught between the ocean and the bay. Devastated by Hurricane Sandy, it remains exposed to rising tides more than a decade later. floodlightnews.org/we-are-forgo...

Hossain endured a decade of floods that battered his farmland in Bangladesh. When his daughter was born, he couldn’t afford the hospital bill. Months later, he left for the U.S. — one of many migrants fleeing places repeatedly hit by climate disasters. floodlightnews.org/flooding-and...

After Hurricane Sandy, Baba Ndanani's home was so damaged he spent two weeks sleeping on an overturned refrigerator. 13 years later, his Queens community is still waiting for the flood protections it was promised: floodlightnews.org/we-are-forgo...

Hossain endured a decade of floods that battered his farmland in Bangladesh. When his daughter was born, he couldn’t afford the hospital bill. Months later, he left for the U.S. — one of many migrants fleeing places repeatedly hit by climate disasters. floodlightnews.org/flooding-and...

Charleston’s $1.3B seawall will stop short of Rosemont, a historically Black neighborhood hit by flooding. “The gentry of Charleston have connections, they have money, they have a voice,” says resident Skip Mikell. “These communities are voiceless.” floodlightnews.org/building-tow...

This is the New Isle. It was meant to be a national model for climate relocation — a fresh start for residents of Louisiana’s Isle de Jean Charles, which was being swallowed by rising tides. But three years on, families report broken homes and broken promises. floodlightnews.org/isle-de-jean...

“This is supposed to be a model. Not just for us. For the rest of the country, maybe the world. So why did it fail?” As millions face climate relocation, the nation’s first federally-funded attempt left families with crumbling houses and broken trust. floodlightnews.org/isle-de-jean...

“I never expected that relocation was going to happen in my lifetime. Now that it has happened, it’s not a celebration.” After a federally funded move inland, Indigenous residents of Isle de Jean Charles say their new homes are already falling apart. floodlightnews.org/isle-de-jean...