Data Center Construction Halt Demanded by Environmental Groups

Growing Concerns Over Data Center Expansion

With the increasing energy requirements of data centers, environmental advocacy groups are now advocating for a temporary halt to the approval and building of new facilities.

Over 230 organizations, including prominent names like Food & Water Watch, Friends of the Earth, and Greenpeace, have jointly signed a public letter.

This letter urges members of Congress to endorse a nationwide moratorium on approving and constructing additional data centers, primarily due to escalating electricity and water usage.

Impact on Communities and Resources

The letter states that the swift and largely unregulated growth of data centers, driven by the demand for AI and cryptocurrency, is disrupting communities nationwide.

It further asserts that this expansion poses a threat to the economic, environmental, climatic, and water security of Americans.

Multiple studies have established a correlation between the establishment of new data centers in a region and subsequent increases in energy prices.

Consumer Worries and Rising Costs

Consumers are reaching similar conclusions; a recent survey commissioned by Sunrun, a solar installer, revealed that eight out of ten individuals are worried about data centers increasing their utility bills.

Electricity prices have already experienced a significant surge this year, rising by 13% – the largest annual increase observed in the last ten years.

The most substantial effects of these increases are anticipated in several states, including Virginia, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Illinois, and New Jersey.

These states are projected to see the largest growth in data center capacity.

Projected Energy Demand

The energy demand from data centers is forecast to almost triple over the next decade.

Current demand stands at 40 gigawatts, but is expected to reach 106 gigawatts by 2035.

A significant portion of this expansion is expected to occur in rural areas.

Broader Societal Impacts

Environmental groups emphasize that these developments exacerbate the broader, concerning impacts of AI on society.

These include potential job losses, social instability, and increased economic concentration.

Recent Protests and Opposition

Proposed data center projects have recently become focal points of public debate and protest.

Last week, demonstrations took place outside the headquarters of DTE, a utility company in Detroit.

The company is seeking approval from the Michigan Public Service Commission to provide electricity to OpenAI and Oracle for a 1.4 gigawatt data center.

Protestors voiced concerns about rising electricity costs, excessive freshwater consumption, and increased traffic congestion.

Also last week, three individuals were arrested in Wisconsin during a city council meeting concerning a 902 megawatt data center.

This data center is planned as part of OpenAI and Oracle’s Stargate project.