'It's coming fast': Arlington Diocese sits at center of ‘Data Center Alley’
The Catholic Diocese of Arlington is grappling with the rapid expansion of "Data Center Alley" in Northern Virginia, a region with a high concentration of data centers. These facilities, which power artificial intelligence, are raising concerns about infrastructure, significant energy and water consumption, and environmental impact. The article also notes the tax subsidies provided to data centers and references a papal encyclical on the environmental implications of AI.
The article reports on "Data Center Alley" in Northern Virginia, an area within the Catholic Diocese of Arlington that hosts the world's densest concentration of data centers, with over 300 existing facilities and more than 100 under development. This rapid growth, largely driven by artificial intelligence, is prompting reflection within the diocese.
Anna Knier, coordinator for the office of the peace and justice commission for the diocese, told "EWTN News In Depth" that the expansion is "coming fast and quickly" and that they are adapting "as we fly" regarding various considerations, including infrastructure. The article highlights that data centers often receive government tax subsidies but create relatively few jobs compared to other industries receiving similar incentives.
A significant concern is the enormous energy and water consumption of these facilities. Data centers currently account for 4-5% of national energy consumption, projected to increase to 9-17% by 2030. In Virginia, data centers already consume over 20% of the state's energy, potentially rising to 39-57% by 2030. The report cites Pope Leo XIV's encyclical *Magnifica Humanitas*, which warns against overlooking AI's environmental impact, particularly from the energy and water demands of data centers, and addresses broader ethical concerns about AI development.