Data Centers: Too costly for communities
The opinion article argues that data centers’ growing electricity and water consumption is raising utility costs and worsening environmental and public-health risks. It calls for stronger local and federal oversight to make data center operations more transparent and accountable.
The Northern Star opinion article examines the resource demands of expanding data center infrastructure, particularly as artificial intelligence drives new construction. It cites estimates that U.S. data centers already consume a significant share of electricity and could account for a much larger portion by 2028, contributing to higher utility prices for consumers. The article also highlights substantial water use and the concentration of new facilities in water-stressed areas.
The piece argues that fossil-fuel-powered electricity for data centers can increase greenhouse-gas emissions and air pollution, while water consumption may intensify scarcity and climate-related problems. Although it acknowledges that data centers provide important technological services, it urges local and federal governments to impose stronger regulations and require greater operational transparency.