5 ways data centers endanger local communities and the nation as a whole
Data centers are rapidly expanding in the U.S., projected to consume 12% of the nation's electricity by 2028. Research, particularly in Virginia, identifies five key concerns: air quality, water usage, noise levels, land use, and increased energy costs. The article suggests improved planning and design to mitigate these impacts.
The article, "5 ways data centers endanger local communities and the nation as a whole," details the growing environmental and community impacts of data centers in the United States, which hosts over 4,000 such facilities. Driven by AI, cloud computing, and cryptocurrency, data centers are projected to consume up to 12% of all U.S. electricity by 2028, a significant increase from 4.4% in 2023. This increased energy demand from fossil fuels contributes to air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.
Researchers, focusing on Virginia, identified five primary areas of concern: air quality due to fossil fuel consumption and diesel generators, substantial water usage that strains municipal systems and aquifers, constant industrial noise affecting residents, conversion of green and agricultural land for development, and rising electricity costs for residents. A 2024 Virginia legislative report, for instance, projected residential electric bills could increase by $14 to $37 monthly by 2040 due to data center growth.
The authors, Edward Maibach, Luis Ortiz, and Neha Gour, advocate for improved planning and design to mitigate these impacts. They suggest measures such as increasing renewable energy use, adopting more efficient cooling systems, reducing noise through engineering, and requiring large-scale data centers to bear more of the infrastructure costs they create. The article concludes that expanding digital infrastructure without protecting community health is "unacceptable."