Hi everyone, Yves here. It has been widely recognized, including by me, that the overwhelming energy demands of artificial intelligence (AI) are compounding our existing challenges related to climate disruption, resource depletion, and environmental degradation. Therefore, it’s essential to continue scrutinizing the impact of data centers. This article further highlights the concerns associated with their operations.
While some argue that the negative effects can be managed, a compelling piece we featured earlier, Energy failures are destined to doom Wall Street’s AI euphoria, by Ambrose Evans-Pritchard, presents a different viewpoint. Key insights include:
The primary threat to the ongoing AI stock frenzy is not merely the energy shortage—although that is a serious concern—but rather the global bottleneck of essential components such as transformers, substations, switchgear, and transmission lines. These infrastructure challenges are compounded by a significant shortfall of skilled workers in the United States who can operate and maintain this equipment.
For instance, a single large data center campus located in Hays County, Texas—an area with which I have had personal experience—uses approximately 10 million gallons of water daily for cooling and power generation, which heavily impacts the Edwards Aquifer that also serves the Austin-San Antonio region.
“No one is discussing cooling or water usage,” pointed out Majumder at the recent Marshall & Stevens forum on energy infrastructure. “Farmers will be far from pleased about you depleting their aquifer for cooling purposes.”
By Neha Gour, Ph.D. Candidate in Science Communication, George Mason University, Ed Maibach, Distinguished University Professor Emeritus of Communication, George Mason University, and Luis Ortiz, Assistant Professor of Atmospheric, Oceanic and Earth Sciences, George Mason University. Originally published at The Conversation
Every internet search, video stream, and AI-generated reply relies on a data center operating somewhere. With the rapid growth in AI, cloud computing, and cryptocurrency, data centers have become the foundation of our modern digital economy. However, while they play a crucial role in enabling virtual experiences, they are physical structures located within specific communities across the globe.
The United States is home to over 4,000 data centers—more than any other nation. The U.S. Department of Energy has projected that these data centers will collectively consume up to 12% of the country’s electricity by 2028. As of 2023, they accounted for around 4.4% of total electricity usage, equating to approximately 176 terawatt-hours.
Virginia leads the U.S. with the highest concentration of data centers, exceeding 600, two-thirds of which are situated in the northern Virginia suburbs of Washington, D.C. In 2023 alone, data centers in Virginia consumed about 26% of the state’s total electricity supply, the highest proportion across all states.
Our research focuses on science communication, climate science, and public health. With that in mind, we sought to understand how data centers in Virginia impact local residents and the broader public.
Our findings indicate that existing data centers affect nearby communities and the nation as a whole in five critical aspects: air quality, water quality, noise pollution, land use, and energy expenses.
Air Quality
Data centers operate continuously, consuming substantial amounts of electricity that must be generated, either near the facility or at a distance.
When fossil fuels are burned for this electricity, they release a variety of air pollutants linked to serious health issues such as lung diseases, cardiovascular problems, strokes, and neurological conditions. They also emit greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change, which subsequently exacerbates air quality issues.
In 2023, electricity generation for U.S. data centers contributed to approximately 2.2% of the nation’s greenhouse gas emissions. The air pollutants from fossil fuel combustion are also associated with heightened risks of ADHD and autism in children, as well as increased risks of Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s in older adults.
Unless data centers are powered by clean energy sources like solar, wind, or geothermal, they contribute to air pollution. Residents near fossil-fuel-powered plants, regardless of proximity to data centers, face exposure to harmful air quality. Additionally, during power outages, on-site diesel generators activate, emitting significant air pollutants that affect both workers and local residents.
Water Usage and Pollution
Data centers utilize immense amounts of water for server cooling purposes. Globally, their water consumption is projected to reach between 4.2 billion to 6.6 billion cubic meters annually by 2027. In the U.S., data centers rank among the top 10 industrial water consumers.
In northern Virginia, water usage by data centers has skyrocketed. In Loudoun County, for example, potable water consumption by these facilities more than doubled from 2019 to 2023, with total consumption across northern Virginia reaching nearly 2 billion gallons in 2023.
This high demand can strain local rivers, aquifers, and water supply systems, creating issues even in areas like the mid-Atlantic that typically don’t face droughts, and severely impacting regions like the U.S. Southwest that are prone to prolonged dry spells.
Noise Pollution
The continuous operation of data centers means that cooling systems—such as air chillers and cooling fans—produce a constant hum, which is accompanied by any operational generators.
In northern Virginia, some residents have noted a persistent “drone” annoyance. Noise measurements of the centers in question indicated levels ranging from 40 to 59 decibels on residential properties.
While these noise levels are less than a conversation from three feet away and not loud enough to harm hearing or breach local noise regulations, they approach thresholds identified by the EPA as having the potential to interfere with work, sleep, and physical activities. Some residents have reported that the noise has affected their ability to sleep and concentrate, leading them to avoid using outdoor spaces where the sound is louder.
Land Use and Community Well-Being
The growth of data centers often targets lands adjacent to green spaces, agricultural regions, or rural communities, where developers find affordable land with access to existing power supplies.
Transforming green areas into industrial sites can reduce the health benefits associated with proximity to natural environments, which promote physical activity and enhanced mental health.
In Virginia, residents near data center projects have reported increased truck traffic and diesel emissions, contributing to respiratory and cardiovascular health risks, particularly among children and the elderly. These issues, while typical of major construction ventures, are magnified when multiple data centers are built in close proximity.
In places like Prince William County, Virginia, there are proposals for data centers across approximately 2,400 acres of undeveloped land in the Rural Crescent, an area intended by the county’s planners for minimal development. The establishment of these data centers could convert open spaces and farmland into industrial areas, thus disrupting communities closely tied to their land.
Rising Energy Costs
The growing electricity demand from data centers exerts upward pressure on energy prices throughout the grid. A 2024 legislative report from Virginia predicted that the typical residential electricity bill could increase by $14 to $37 per month by 2040 due to the strain from data center expansion—an increase between 9% to 25% over current average bills, not accounting for potential inflation.
These cost increases affect all consumers but disproportionately burden economically vulnerable families, who often face more health issues. Lower-income households allocate a larger portion of their budget to electricity, meaning rising bills can lead to difficult choices between paying for energy, food, and healthcare, and potentially jeopardize access to adequate heating and cooling.
Potential Solutions
Many of these health-related issues can be alleviated through improved planning and design.
Increasing the proportion of renewable energy used by data centers can significantly lessen air pollution and its related health impacts.
Implementing recycled water systems in targeted cooling systems that address specific server rows instead of entire buildings can greatly reduce cooling energy demands, with some studies suggesting reductions of up to 29%.
Regarding noise, a data center in Leesburg, Virginia, mitigated low-frequency noise by redesigning its fan mounts.
To address energy costs, requiring large-scale data centers to absorb a greater portion of the grid expenses they generate could protect residential customers from escalating costs.
Our global digital framework relies heavily on data centers, a reality that is unlikely to change. We advocate for the expansion of this infrastructure to be conducted in ways that safeguard the health and well-being of nearby communities, which is not merely an option, but a necessity.
