Can we make data centers work for everyone?
The opinion article argues that data centers are imposing environmental, utility and financial costs on local communities while receiving public incentives. It calls for developers to fund clean energy, efficient water systems, infrastructure and other community investments, while noting opposition and moratorium efforts in places including Saline Township and Ypsilanti, Michigan.
Opinion columnist Willem DeGood argues that the rapid expansion of artificial-intelligence data centers is generating substantial profits for developers while shifting environmental, infrastructure and tax costs to local communities. He cites concerns about electricity demand, household utility rates, water consumption, pollution, fossil-fuel generation and public incentives for development.
DeGood says governments should require developers to cover the full costs of their projects, invest in renewable energy and efficient cooling, and contribute to local infrastructure and environmental resilience. The article references a 1,383-megawatt data center under construction in Saline Township and moratorium demands in Ypsilanti, while proposing community-benefit policies as an alternative to blocking development outright.