Data centers

What a data center is, and what it asks of a community.

A data center is a building, or a campus of buildings, that houses the computers running software, storage and, increasingly, artificial intelligence. The servers inside must be powered, cooled and connected continuously. That is why a data center is as much an energy, water and land project as it is a technology project.

What a data center needs

PowerContinuous electricity supply, often at a scale that requires new generation, substations or transmission lines.

LandLarge parcels, often rezoned from agricultural or residential use, plus buffers, access and utility corridors.

Water or cooling resourcesCooling systems that may draw water, consume electricity, or both, depending on the design and the climate.

Transmission infrastructureHigh-voltage lines and substations to deliver power to the site, and the question of who pays for them.

Backup generationOn-site generators, usually diesel or gas, that run during outages and testing and may require air permits.

RoadsHeavy construction traffic during the build, and ongoing access for operations, deliveries and maintenance.

ConstructionA multi-year build phase with a large temporary workforce, followed by a much smaller permanent operations staff.

WorkersTrades during construction; technicians, security and facilities staff during operation. Numbers vary by project.

Utility capacityPlanning, rate and cost-allocation decisions made by utilities and regulators that can affect every customer on the system.

How to read this site

Not every project creates every effect.

Benefits and costs vary substantially by project, site, utility and jurisdiction. We label each claim so readers can tell a possibility from a documented fact, and a documented fact from a resident's concern.

Possible impact

An effect that could occur, depending on how a project is designed and approved.

Documented impact

An effect recorded in a cited public source, with the source, date and geography shown.

Project-specific impact

An effect tied to a named facility and its own filings, permits or agreements.

Community concern

A question or worry raised by residents that has not yet been measured or verified.

The Good

What a well-planned data center can bring.

Explore the good

The Bad

Growth has costs. Communities should know what they are.

Understand the costs

The Ugly

What data centers take, what communities pay, what gets left behind.

See the community costs

We need your help now.

Data center decisions are being made this fall in county chambers and utility dockets across the country. Your contribution puts sourced information, a public survey and a project-by-project record in front of the people who will live with them.

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