1. United States
2. N.D.
3. Letter

As AI companies race to expand, states across the country are approving massive new data centers with very little public oversight. The U.S. already has more than 4,000 data centers with thousands more planned or under construction. These facilities consume enormous amounts of electricity and water and in some areas, utility companies are already predicting that rapid data center expansion could strain power grids and increase energy costs for residents. According to the Environmental and Energy Study Institute, data centers could account for roughly 12 percent of all U.S. electricity demand by 2028. And while the real long-term effects on public health have yet to be seen, researchers warn that these facilities create noise pollution, threaten water quality, and deplete natural resources in surrounding areas. Despite these risks, many data centers are approved behind closed doors with fast-track permits and non-disclosure agreements, leaving communities in the dark about the true environmental and financial costs. I urge you to oppose future AI data centers until legislative safeguards have caught up and been put in place to protect our communities.