Five things to know as data centers spread across rural America
Over 1,500 new data centers are planned nationwide, largely in rural areas, leading to growing concerns about their environmental impact and water usage. Communities are increasingly opposing these projects, often through rezoning battles, while regulatory frameworks struggle to keep pace with the rapid expansion of AI-driven facilities.
The rapid spread of data centers, particularly hyperscale facilities for artificial intelligence, into rural American communities is raising significant concerns regarding their environmental impact, water consumption, and regulatory oversight. More than 1,500 data centers are planned nationwide, with two-thirds slated for rural areas, shifting from the current 87% in urban locations.
Water use is a primary issue, with facilities like Google's data center in Pryor, Oklahoma, consuming vast amounts, largely through evaporative cooling. While new technologies aim to reduce water use, there's a lack of transparency regarding water discharge and its potential environmental pollution, making impacts difficult to assess.
Opposition from rural residents is growing, fueled by concerns over electricity costs, the conversion of agricultural land, and water overuse. Communities are increasingly using rezoning battles to challenge proposed projects, as exemplified by the Beltline data center in Yukon and Oklahoma City, which still requires approval to rezone agricultural land.
The article highlights that AI's expansion is outpacing regulations, with companies sometimes leveraging regulatory gaps or bypassing traditional permitting processes. Examples include Oklahoma data centers not needing water permits if they purchase water from municipal utilities, and xAI's installation of natural gas turbines in Memphis, Tennessee, without prior air permits.