Data centers are quickly emerging as the environmental issue of this decade.
Data centers are large warehouse-like facilities that house computer servers. From streaming services to cloud computing to AI-driven technologies, data centers process and store the vast amounts of information that we rely on every day.
Nature Forward recognizes the vital importance of data centers in our society. However, we also acknowledge the devastating impacts their massive energy, water, and land use can have on nature and people if data centers aren’t subject to proper oversight and public input.
There is an urgent need to better regulate this expanding industry to ensure a sustainable future. Please join us in asking legislators to adopt policies that mitigate the significant carbon, energy and water resource impacts associated with data centers.
The US is the world’s largest market for data centers with the most facilities concentrated in Northern Virginia, Portland, Dallas, Phoenix, Atlanta, Chicago, and Silicon Valley.
The demand for increased data center support for Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology has opened up secondary markets across the country.
This eight-minute video by Piedmont Environmental Council provides a comprehensive overview of data center development in Northern Virginia.
With most of the world’s data centers (39%) located in the US, our nation has an excellent opportunity to be an international leader in renewable energy, sustainable energy grids, and data center infrastructure.
To do that, we need to create common-sense environmental restrictions and incentives to encourage data center developers to build data centers, and energy providers to provide energy, in ways that protect the health and well-being of people and our environment.
Energy and Water Consumption
One data center can use as much energy as 50,000 homes.
Dominion Energy, Virginia’s largest electric utility, reports receiving customer orders that could double the amount of data center capacity in Virginia by 2028.
Data centers run 24/7 and rely on air-polluting diesel generators to supplement energy demands during power outages and periods of increased energy needs.
The excessive energy needs of data centers drive up greenhouse gas emissions.
Depending on the design, a large data center may use up to 5,000,000 gallons of water per day, using evaporative cooling to reduce the temperature of the machines that process data.
A 2022 study by the National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) found that data centers would discharge tons of sediment and stormwater into Virginia waterways putting people and wildlife in danger.
According to a report by Virginia Conservation Network, Water consumption by data centers in Loudoun County, Virginia increased 250% in the last four years, totaling 899 million gallons in 2023.
Sign Up for
Nature Forward
Action Alerts
Help make a positive difference
for nature in your community.