New things have much glitter, but often some dents and dust

May 26, 2026

Recently, concerns have arisen over data centers. Data centers are the support system of the internet -- servers, networking equipment and things that provide cooling, power backup, fire suppression and security. In short, they keep these digital services running reliably.

Data centers arose in the mid-20th century and had a strong growth spurt in the 1990s, as the use of the internet grew.

US News & World Report tells us: “The U.S. has more than 4,000 data centers, which is nearly eight times the number of any other country. With thousands more planned or under construction, their energy demand is expected to more than double by 2030.

As with any new and popular development, there are important issues with the centers. The World Resources Institute lists seven problem areas.

1. Managing soaring energy demand - As technology advances and computing demand grows, data centers are becoming increasingly energy hungry. A single modern AI data center can use as much power as 100,000 homes; many of the larger ones now being built are expected to consume up to 20 times that amount.

2. Protecting local water supplies - Data centers require huge amounts of water to keep servers cool enough to function. Mid-sized facilities can use up to 300,000 gallons of water a day, while large facilities can consume as much as 5 million gallons daily — comparable to what a small town uses.

3. Reducing air pollution and climate impacts - Data centers need a constant and reliable power supply. Many facilities rely on gas-fired generation for routine operations alongside diesel generators for emergency backup. Both come with climate and health risks.

4. Mitigating noise - Data center construction, rooftop cooling systems and backup generators can be disruptively noisy. Smaller diesel generators reportedly reach 85 decibels, levels that can harm hearing. Larger industrial units can approach 100 decibels — equivalent to a motorcycle or jackhammer.

5. Addressing competition for land - Massive data centers are reshaping how land is used in many communities. In 2024, the average data center site covered about 224 acres or 0.35 square miles — roughly the size of 450 football fields. This represents a 144% increase since 2022. Developers are increasingly seeking large parcels for multi-building campuses that allow for phased construction and future expansion. Hyperscale facilities require even more land, with the largest campuses exceeding 1,000 acres, or about 1.6 square miles, according to a recent report from the Wisconsin Farm Bureau.

6. Reducing pressure on marginalized communities - Emerging analyses suggest that some data center siting patterns could compound long-standing environmental and economic challenges. A national review of roughly 700 data centers across the country found that nearly half are in census tracts with above-median environmental burdens, such as air pollution, park access and water pollution, as measured by the Center for Disease Control’s Environmental Justice Index. Many were located in areas with social vulnerability indicators, such as poverty and lower education levels.

7. Balancing economic trade-offs - Data center development can create real economic opportunities. Their construction generates hundreds of well-paying — though temporary — jobs for technicians, electricians and other local building trade workers. There are also good-paying opportunities for full-time staff, like technicians, security staff and facility managers.

And a new issue has come to light. “Few studies have examined how data centers affect health, but findings so far suggest data centers warrant closer scrutiny as a potential public health concern.

“’Really nobody is talking about the health impacts of data centers,’ says Neha Gour, one of the authors of the new study, which was published in the journal Frontiers in Climate. ‘And today, when we talk of digital infrastructure, or even any infrastructure for that matter, not including a health component is a huge gap that we need to address.’

“Gour’s study focused on Northern Virginia, an area often referred to as “Data Center Alley” because it is one of the largest concentrations of data centers in the world. It is home to more than 500 data centers that handle a significant portion of the world’s internet traffic, as high as 70 percent by some estimates.”

Currently, West Virginia has no data centers, as of the US News report from last month. 

And due to the health and other issues, there is a rather loud and growing force of opposition to having data centers in or too near residential areas. It is, of course, not necessary for data centers to be near residential areas, but they often are, because the preferences of developers and other stakeholders are very important to local governments.

However, some local governments are awakening to the complaints of their citizens, and are becoming more concerned with the effects of the centers on them. Some have even imposed a moratorium on new centers while they evaluate both sides of the issue.

Together, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and data centers were first recognized for their new and beneficial attributes. But as they become more widely known, the negative aspects emerge. 

The negatives can no longer be swept under the rug while they receive beneficial treatment. The effects these “wonders” have on the people must be given first place on the list of what’s important.