‘No free lunch’ | Experts warn of hidden and not-so-hidden costs behind Triad data center boom

Data centers proposed for Stokes County and Rural Hall in North Carolina's Triad region are encountering considerable public opposition and regulatory challenges. Residents and experts are raising alarms over the environmental consequences, particularly the extensive water consumption and reliance on fossil fuels for electricity, despite the potential economic advantages such as increased tax revenues. Dr. Corey Johnson, a professor at UNC Greensboro, highlighted that each data center requires "tens of thousands of gallons of water every day" and significant fossil fuel use. He questioned the sustainability of increasing such demands, especially with the added complexity of climate change affecting water supply predictability. While another UNC Greensboro professor, Dr. Jeff Sarbaum, acknowledged the "significant source of tax revenues" and potential for "economic clustering" from data centers, he cautioned that the jobs primarily created during construction are often temporary, with fewer personnel needed for ongoing operations. The opposition has led to tangible actions, including Stokes County voiding a data center rezoning approval due to a notice violation, necessitating a resubmission by the developer. Separately, residents in Rural Hall have vocalized their concerns at a town hall meeting, underscoring the ongoing local disputes over these developments.