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Nationwide protests mount against data-center boom as backlash broadens
politics2 hours ago

Nationwide protests mount against data-center boom as backlash broadens

Opponents of the rapid data-center expansion plan plan coordinated protests in at least 125 locations nationwide, led by the grassroots group HumansFirst. They argue the AI infrastructure rollout warrants more transparency, environmental protections, and community benefits, citing concerns over rising power bills, water use, and regulatory scrutiny; industry officials say centers are responsible neighbors, while politicians race to address mounting voter anger ahead of elections.

via Yahoo|
#ai-infrastructure#data-centers#humansfirst
Heatwaves push US grid as AI data centers surge in energy and water use
technology14 days ago

Heatwaves push US grid as AI data centers surge in energy and water use

A sweeping US heatwave strains the power grid and water supplies as the nation races to build thousands of AI data centers, whose cooling and electricity needs could lift overall energy demand and stress local water resources, prompting calls for greater oversight, siting checks, and faster upgrades to generation and transmission, as utilities implement measures like backup power dispatch.

via Al Jazeera|
#ai-data-centers#energy-demand#heatwave
AI data centers drink relatively little water, but local strains persist
technology1 month ago

AI data centers drink relatively little water, but local strains persist

Amazon says its AI data centers pulled about 2.5 billion gallons of water in 2025, a tiny share of U.S. and global water use, but local centers can strain nearby supplies in water-scarce regions. The industry is pursuing higher cooling efficiency and funding water projects (e.g., Amazon, Google) to replenish local resources, highlighting a small national footprint with meaningful local impacts.

via Ars Technica|
#ai#data-centers#environment
Amazon reports 2.5B gallons of data-center water use in 2025, says it’s more efficient
technology1 month ago

Amazon reports 2.5B gallons of data-center water use in 2025, says it’s more efficient

Amazon published its first annual water-use data for global data centers, reporting 2.5 billion gallons in 2025 (about 0.12 liters per kWh), a 2% decline from 2024 as it expanded capacity. The company argues its facilities are seven times more water-efficient than the industry average and rely mostly on air cooling, with evaporative cooling during peak heat, but the figures exclude indirect water use at power plants and water for building new centers; Google reportedly uses more water per kWh in the cited charts, and comparisons often focus on Gemini AI data centers rather than all of Amazon’s operations, all against a backdrop of Seattle’s data-center moratorium.

via The Verge|
#ai#amazon#cooling
Utah AI Data Center's Water Footprint in Question as Plans Evolve
technology1 month ago

Utah AI Data Center's Water Footprint in Question as Plans Evolve

The Stratos data center proposal in Box Elder County, Utah—backed by Kevin O'Leary—faces scrutiny as officials and researchers warn that exact water use and footprint are not finalized; estimates vary from about 2 billion to 16.6 billion gallons of water per year depending on power-generation technology, and the site’s size was scaled back from roughly 40,000 acres to about 10,000 acres after protests. While developers tout “waterless” or low-water cooling and Allam-cycle options, experts say precise plans are needed to confirm environmental impact, leaving the final numbers uncertain until detailed designs are released.

via Snopes.com|
#data-center#kevin-oleary#stratos-project
AI Hype vs Hidden Costs: Data Centers, Water, and Surveillance
technology1 month ago

AI Hype vs Hidden Costs: Data Centers, Water, and Surveillance

An opinion piece cautions that AI’s hype risks a bubble while highlighting real downsides: energy- and water-intensive data centers, potential environmental damage, and expanding surveillance—from Utah’s giant data center and New Jersey bans to Memphis water use for xAI and China’s AI-enabled policing—calling for skepticism of tech moguls and stronger governance to address environmental justice and civil liberties as AI expands.

via CleanTechnica|
#artificial-intelligence#data-centers#environmental-impact
California's data-center boom leaves water use in the dark
environment2 months ago

California's data-center boom leaves water use in the dark

New research shows California’s data centers are expanding into water-stressed regions while public data on their water use remains scarce due to reporting gaps and narrow environmental reviews. Planning documents often lack clear details about water consumption, and water providers rarely disclose usage. Lawmakers are reintroducing bills to require disclosure to water suppliers and local governments, but face industry opposition. Experts say transparent measurement is essential as the industry grows and competes for limited water resources.

via CalMatters|
#california#data-centers#environment
Georgia community confronts drought fallout as data center drains 30 million gallons
local2 months ago

Georgia community confronts drought fallout as data center drains 30 million gallons

Residents of Fayetteville, Ga., are furious after a Quality Technology Services data center reportedly drained about 29–30 million gallons of water during a drought, due to two industrial hookups that were billed inconsistently and one installed without notice. The county says a smart-meter upgrade caused a billing lapse, and the company has paid retroactive charges, while officials defend the project and residents call for greater accountability and oversight amid ongoing drought restrictions.

via New York Post|
#data-center#drought#fayetteville-ga
Georgia Data Center Drains 30 Million Gallons, Exposing Weak Water Monitoring
technology2 months ago

Georgia Data Center Drains 30 Million Gallons, Exposing Weak Water Monitoring

An investigation in Fayette County, Georgia found that Quality Technology Services’ data center used nearly 30 million gallons of water without being billed due to two unmonitored hookups (one installed without the utility’s knowledge and the other not linked to the account). The county, understaffed and transitioning to smart meters, retroactively billed QTS but imposed no penalties, prompting resident anger and questions about oversight. The episode underscores broader concerns about AI/data-center water demand and highlights the need for better monitoring, leak detection, and environmental reviews before approving new centers.

via Ars Technica|
#data-centers#fayette-county#georgia
policy2 months ago

Georgia data center’s 30-million-gallon water draw fuels local backlash

Residents of Fayetteville, GA noticed unusually low water pressure, triggering an investigation that uncovered two large unmetered connections feeding a major data center campus. The unbilled use totaled about 29–30 million gallons, prompting a retroactive charge around $147,000. Officials say a system transition to smart meters and a procedural mix‑up led to the missing meters, and the utility has since fully integrated the data center’s meters. The company, QTS, says future water use will be limited to domestic needs after construction. The episode has intensified local backlash against data centers in Georgia, where drought conditions and new restrictions on data-center development heighten tensions over water resources, though officials note no fines were levied.

via Politico|
#data-center#fayetteville-georgia#policy
AI Data Centers Push the U.S. Power Grid to the Limit
technology6 months ago

AI Data Centers Push the U.S. Power Grid to the Limit

AI data centers are expanding rapidly, with Virginia hosting the world’s largest cluster and major investments from Meta, Microsoft, and Amazon, but the U.S. electrical grid is aging and may struggle to meet rising energy demand. Officials have floated an emergency electricity auction through PJM to cover growing costs from these centers, while residential rates have climbed and utilities are exploring higher charges for large customers. Projections suggest data centers could consume about 6.7%–12% of US electricity by 2028, and cooling needs could push water use up by about 170% by 2030, highlighting the challenge of coexisting data centers and households.

via CNN|
#ai-data-centers#electricity-prices#pjm
AI Data Centers' Environmental Impact: Water and Carbon Footprint Concerns
technology7 months ago

AI Data Centers' Environmental Impact: Water and Carbon Footprint Concerns

A new study warns that AI data centers could produce as much CO2 as New York City and consume water equivalent to the global bottled water industry by 2025, highlighting concerns over environmental impact and the lack of transparency from tech companies regarding AI-specific sustainability metrics. Europe’s cleaner energy grid offers a smaller carbon footprint for data centers there, but overall, the rapid growth of AI emphasizes the need for better environmental disclosures and policies.

via Euronews.com|
#ai#carbon-footprint#data-centers
Controversy and Community Concerns Surround New Mexico Data Center Projects
local-news10 months ago

Controversy and Community Concerns Surround New Mexico Data Center Projects

Developers of the proposed $165 billion Project Jupiter data center in Santa Teresa, New Mexico, revealed it would use about 7.2 million gallons of water annually, comparable to local industrial operations, raising concerns among residents about water scarcity and infrastructure. The project features a closed-loop cooling system and is part of a larger debate over resource use, community trust, and economic benefits, with a final decision by Doña Ana County commissioners upcoming.

via El Paso Matters|
#data-center#el-paso#local-news
Uncovering the Hidden Water and Energy Costs of AI
environment10 months ago

Uncovering the Hidden Water and Energy Costs of AI

AI systems consume significant water primarily for cooling data centers and generating electricity, with usage varying based on location, technology, and efficiency measures. While current water use by AI is small compared to everyday activities like lawn watering, understanding and optimizing its water footprint is crucial for sustainable growth and informed decision-making.

via The Conversation|
#ai#cooling-systems#data-centers