The Data Center Divide: Who Decides What’s Built in Your Backyard?

The rapid expansion of data centers across the United States has sparked widespread resistance from local communities. While proponents argue that these massive facilities are necessary to support growing demand for cloud computing, many residents are increasingly concerned about environmental and health impacts.

A recent poll found that seven out of ten Americans now oppose building a data center near their home. Concerns surrounding data centers are multifaceted. For one, they often rely on diesel backup generators, which can lead to significant air pollution problems. According to Abre’ Conner, director of the NAACP’s Center for Environmental and Climate Justice, these facilities frequently use dirty energy sources to get online quickly.

Data center construction also generates noise pollution. Residents living near these facilities have reported constant humming sounds that exceed recommended limits for outdoor and indoor noise. In some areas, the sound has been described as “debilitating,” cutting people’s sleep in half.

Moreover, data centers often come with significant water usage implications. A contractor working on a Meta project in Wyoming flushed contaminated water into a city’s public sewage system, prompting the state to implement stricter regulations.

Hyperscalers like Oracle, Google, and Amazon have been accused of being reluctant to address these concerns. While some companies have taken steps to mitigate noise pollution or reduce water usage, many have faced intense pressure from local residents before agreeing to take action.

In one instance, it took a community in Virginia 18 months of sustained pressure to persuade Amazon to reduce the noise output of its data center by 10 decibels. Collective action is required to challenge these projects and ensure that they are built with local communities’ needs and concerns in mind.

Advocates like Conner emphasize the importance of finding common ground and building coalitions as early as possible, even before a project proposal is on the table. This involves advocating for guardrails that require companies to consult with the community before embarking on a project.

One effective strategy is to push for bylaws that prohibit data centers from being built “by-right” in any zone within your community. By-right permitting allows a project to move forward without notice or input from local residents, simply because it meets applicable development standards and use-specific requirements.

Ultimately, the debate over data center construction raises fundamental questions about who gets to decide what’s built in your backyard. As demand for cloud computing continues to grow, policymakers must prioritize transparency, community engagement, and environmental sustainability.

It’s essential that these massive facilities are built with the interests of local residents in mind, rather than just those of hyperscalers. The data center divide is a symptom of a broader issue: the increasing concentration of power and wealth in the hands of a few tech giants who often seem more interested in expanding their operations than addressing concerns of local communities.

It’s time to recognize that these companies are not above the law, and they must be held accountable for their actions. As this battle plays out across the country, one thing is clear: the fight against data centers is far from over.