Pro/Con: Moratorium needed to pause the attack of data centers

Mitch Jones, managing director of policy and litigation at Food & Water Watch, argues for an immediate nationwide moratorium on new AI data center construction, citing the unsustainable strain on energy and water resources. According to Jones, the boom in hyperscale data centers, fueled by AI and cryptocurrency, is set to nearly triple US energy demand by 2030, consuming up to 580 terawatt-hours annually—12% of national demand. This demand predominantly relies on fossil fuels, worsening the climate crisis. Furthermore, data centers could use 720 billion gallons of water annually for cooling by 2028, impacting communities already struggling with water supply. The financial burden on Americans is also significant, with data centers contributing to a 31% surge in average residential electricity rates between 2020 and 2025. In response to these concerns, Food & Water Watch first called for a national moratorium in October, a demand later joined by 250 other local, state, and national groups. Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont has since introduced a bill to enact such a moratorium. Concurrently, community leaders across the country are actively opposing new AI data center proposals, emphasizing the need for a pause until the industry can demonstrate safe and sustainable operation.