Data Centers: Impact on Low-Income Communities

Based on the research and presentations of: Anthony Nguyen (LSU) & Maliq Barnes (Cornell)

With the rise of artificial intelligence (AI), the demand for data centers has skyrocketed. Today, more than 2,700 data centers are in operation in the United States with many more to come. The surge in these centers has raised concerns about their impact on local communities. A data center is a large group of networked computer servers used for remote storage, processing, or distribution of large amounts of data as required by AI and cloud computing.

Coming to Your Backyard

As these massive centers begin to take root in rural and more densely populated communities, residents have begun pushing back. Increasingly data centers are converging on homes, apartments, schools, parks, and other vital civic spaces, often in low-income communities.

While these highly-automated data centers bring some economic advantages, such as temporary jobs during construction and tax revenue, they can also increase air pollution.

Data centers cause stress on the water supply and power grid. They can also indirectly trigger power surges and blackouts. The centers, in some cases, result in higher electricity bills for residents.

Public Health Concerns

Data centers receive electricity from the local electric grid, which is typically sourced from thermoelectric power plants fueled by oil, gas, and nuclear energy. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) notes these energy sources emit pollutants that can affect public health, causing respiratory problems, throat irritation, chest pain, and increased susceptibility to lung infection. Fossil fuels, especially coal, may also contain mercury, which can enter food sources and the drinking water system.

Data Center Legislation and Policy Interventions

In response to growing concerns about data centers, many local governments nationwide have enacted, or are weighing legislation and new ordinances to regulate where and how data centers are built and managed. Limiting data centers to commercial and industrial zones is a priority.

Water use ordinances, too, can be put in place to curb stress on local water systems and supplies. Data centers consume water for cooling to prevent servers and other equipment from overheating. Other regulatory policies are needed to increase transparency, hold industry accountable for its actions, and to mitigate both the short- and long-term impact of data centers. Several federal laws, too, such as the Clear Air Act, are aimed at protecting  communities from the harmful health and environmental effects of data centers.

The Future: Balancing AI Progress with Community Well-Being

As the AI race continues, the demand for data centers will rise rapidly and so will conflicts with local communities, especially disadvantaged communities. A recent Stanford Medicine study notes that low-income Americans, especially Blacks, already have the highest mortality rate from air pollution. Data centers popping up in low-income communities will only amplify historical trends that disproportionately affect minority health.

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It's critical now that industry, government, and communities work together to enact stronger regulations that protect communities from potential harm. We must balance the growing demand for AI and data centers with the health and well-being of our communities and the people who live in them.