Data Centers' Growing Impact on Local Communities and National Resources

As data centers have become essential infrastructure for the digital economy, their physical footprint and resource demands are creating measurable impacts on local communities and national systems. The United States hosts more than 4,000 data centers—more than any other country—with Virginia alone accounting for over 600 facilities, concentrated in northern Virginia near Washington, D.C. In 2023, these facilities consumed 4.4% of total U.S. electricity (176 terawatt-hours), with projections reaching 12% by 2028. Researchers studying the Virginia data center cluster identified five primary areas of concern: air pollution from fossil fuel power generation linked to respiratory and neurological diseases; water consumption that has more than doubled in some counties and strained local water systems; noise pollution from continuous cooling operations; land use impacts; and rising energy costs. The analysis notes that unless data centers transition to renewable energy sources, their expansion will continue contributing to both local environmental degradation and national greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to 2.2% of the nation's total in 2023.