The AI data center boom is colliding with cities scarred by big industry
National outcry against data center construction has spread to Philadelphia, where officials suggested possible construction in a neighborhood already impacted by a now-defunct oil refinery.
In the United States, citizens are grappling with the potential impact of new AI data centers on their communities. While proponents argue that these facilities will bring jobs and economic growth, many oppose their construction due to environmental and energy concerns. One such resident is Shawmar Pitts, a lifelong Philadelphian who grew up next to an oil refinery that shut down after an explosion in 2019.
Pitts' mother, sister, and neighbors all suffered from chronic health issues, leading him to join the environmental justice group Philly Thrive. They are now advocating for a moratorium on data center construction in the city, citing pollution, noise, and the belief that data centers won't generate significant jobs. This sentiment isn't unique to Philadelphia; communities across the U.S. have protested against data center construction, particularly those in areas with limited resources.
The pushback has been especially strong in neighborhoods that have been affected by big industry's presence. Sonya Sanders, board president of Philly Thrive, stated that her husband, who died of a rare bone cancer in 2020, believed the refinery's emissions caused his illness. Even a proposed data center in Philadelphia may not be as environmentally damaging as the now-closed Philadelphia Energy Solutions refinery, which processed up to 335,000 barrels of crude oil daily.
However, the global pursuit of AI dominance has raised concerns about the future energy consumption of U.S. data centers. By 2035, BloombergNEF predicts that U.S. data centers could consume more natural gas than Germany and Japan combined, nearly double the firm's previous projection. While natural gas burns cleaner than other fossil fuels, burning it still releases significant amounts of carbon dioxide.
In fact, Harvard researchers found that fossil fuel air pollution causes one in five deaths worldwide, a number that is expected to rise with the advent of AI. Data center construction in Pennsylvania would involve hundreds of diesel engines, releasing air pollution and potentially exacerbating heatwaves. Concerned citizens are urging their officials to take action.
In New York, Governor Kathy Hochul signed an executive order temporarily preventing the state from approving new permits for large projects. Data center moratoriums have also been approved in several other U.S. cities, including Denver, Indianapolis, Asheville, Charlotte, and Reno. These moratoriums aim to allow city officials to gather more information about the potential impacts of data centers before approving their construction.
Written by urgent.news from TechCrunch's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
