Data Center Boom Needs Community Input

Environmental Defense Fund advocates for greater community involvement in the rapidly expanding data center industry across the United States. The surge in demand for computing power, driven by the AI boom, is leading to accelerated construction of data centers.

This growth strains electricity grids and water supplies, particularly in drought-prone areas, and often happens with limited local input. Currently, many communities learn about data center projects only after key decisions have been made, leaving residents feeling reactive instead of empowered.

EDF urges local leaders to proactively engage residents, identify potential impacts on resources like water and electricity, and advocate for policies at the state level. Several states, like New Jersey and Pennsylvania, are already seeing increased scrutiny of data center development, with proposals to enhance transparency and ensure equitable cost distribution. Securing enforceable agreements, covering water usage, local hiring, and renewable energy, requires early and consistent community engagement, before construction begins.