A Fordham Focus on AI: Sounding the Alarm on Data Centers’ Environmental Impact
News ClipFordham Now·NY·1/29/2026
This article discusses the environmental impact of data centers, particularly those used for AI models like ChatGPT. It highlights concerns around the high energy consumption of these data centers and their potential to undermine efforts to shift to renewable energy sources. The article also explores potential solutions, such as having data centers pay the full cost of grid connection or be charged higher rates to cover the burden they impose on the electricity grid. The article features comments from Fordham economics professor Marc Conte, who is researching the electricity and carbon emissions associated with AI models and exploring ways to optimize energy usage.
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The article discusses the environmental impact of data centers in the United States, focusing on the research of Fordham economics professor Marc Conte. Data centers, which power AI models like ChatGPT, are rapidly expanding across the country to meet growing energy demands. However, these centers consume massive amounts of electricity, often outpacing the development of renewable energy sources. Conte is working to quantify the carbon emissions associated with individual AI queries and calls for tech companies to consider the trade-off between model size and performance to reduce energy usage. The article suggests that data centers should pay the full cost of grid connection or be charged higher rates to cover the burden they impose on local communities and electricity markets.