The rapid expansion of data centers to support artificial intelligence is straining local power grids, water supplies, and air quality, raising significant environmental and economic concerns for nearby communities.

Key Points

• The U.S. Department of Energy projects data centers could consume 12% of total U.S. electricity by 2028, up from 4.4% in 2023.
• Virginia hosts over 600 data centers, which accounted for 26% of the state's total electricity consumption in 2023.
• Large data centers can require 10 million gallons of water daily for cooling, threatening local aquifers and municipal water supplies.
• Fossil-fuel-powered data centers contribute to greenhouse gas emissions and air pollutants linked to respiratory, cardiovascular, and neurological health risks.
• A 2024 Virginia legislative report estimates that grid strain from data centers could increase residential electricity bills by up to $37 per month by 2040.

Why it Matters

The unchecked growth of data infrastructure creates a direct conflict between the digital economy and the physical well-being of local communities. Without improved planning, renewable energy integration, and stricter grid cost-sharing, the environmental and financial burdens of AI development will disproportionately impact residential consumers and public health.