‘It’s coming fast’: Arlington Diocese sits at center of ‘Data Center Alley’
The Catholic Diocese of Arlington encompasses "Data Center Alley" in Northern Virginia, a global hub for data centers fueling AI growth. The article highlights the rapid expansion of these facilities, their significant energy and water consumption, and the associated environmental concerns, referencing Pope Leo XIV's encyclical.
The Catholic Diocese of Arlington, which covers a large area of Northern Virginia, is at the heart of "Data Center Alley," described as the world's densest concentration of data centers. These facilities are rapidly expanding to support the growing demand for artificial intelligence, with more than 300 already present in Northern Virginia and over 100 more under development.
Anna Knier, coordinator for the office of the peace and justice commission for the diocese, noted the rapid pace of development, stating that considerations like infrastructure are being addressed as the industry grows. Data centers are also a focus in the broader AI debate due to their significant energy and water consumption, often receiving government tax subsidies while creating relatively few jobs.
A report by the Electric Power Research Institute indicates that data centers currently consume 4-5% of national energy, projected to increase to 9-17% by 2030. Virginia, where over 20% of energy is already consumed by data centers, could see this figure rise to 39-57% by the end of the decade. The article connects this to Pope Leo XIV’s encyclical Magnifica Humanitas, which warned against overlooking the environmental impact of AI, particularly concerning data centers' energy and water usage.