Tech Giants Are Trying to Cover Up the Environmental Impacts of Their Data Centers

Tech companies like Microsoft, Amazon, and Elon Musk's xAI are aggressively seeking to conceal the environmental impacts of their rapidly expanding data centers, particularly in the Midwest and Virginia. They are using tactics like trade secret claims, non-disclosure agreements with local governments, and lobbying to avoid disclosing water and energy usage. This data center expansion is driven by the growing generative AI market, which requires much more water and energy than previous server farms. State environmental agencies have so far deferred to utilities and municipalities on assessing the environmental impacts, creating conflicts of interest. Some states like California and Wisconsin are starting to conduct environmental impact assessments, but these have been limited in scope so far.