Data Centers & AI

Researchers examine the direct and indirect water demands associated with data centers while highlighting major gaps in company-level water-use disclosure.

A congressional proposal calls for stronger local authority over data center development, including public impact reports, water-use disclosures, community benefit agreements, and protections for residents.

Officials in Piqua, Ohio approved an agreement involving a Meta data center despite public opposition, adding another example of local debate surrounding large AI infrastructure projects.

A video explainer examining direct and indirect water use associated with data centers and the growing demand created by AI infrastructure.

This in-depth article examines the combined land, energy, and water demands of data centers and explains why their effects are highly local and especially important within stressed watersheds.

Rapid growth in AI infrastructure is increasing scrutiny of the water required to cool large data centers, particularly where facilities are planned in communities with limited or stressed water resources.

Local officials considered a Rural Hall data center while residents raised questions about environmental effects, quality of life, utilities, and whether a moratorium should be considered.

New power infrastructure needed to serve large data centers is creating property-rights disputes in some communities. The issue adds another dimension to the debate over rapid AI infrastructure expansion.

An Ohio study suggests the state has substantial water resources for data center development while also identifying public concern about transparency, resource use, and community trust.

Brookings examines how communities can negotiate enforceable agreements governing water use, energy, jobs, noise, and other local impacts before data center projects are approved.