AI data center boom sparks fierce battles over power, water and the planet

Debates over artificial intelligence are heating up across the US as data centers face growing opposition. In southern New Jersey, Millville officials recently blocked a proposed 1.4-gigawatt facility, citing environmental concerns. Meanwhile, massive AI projects in Utah and Tennessee are moving forward, sparking worries about power use and water supplies. The Millville Board of Commissioners voted to ban data centers in the city, stopping a planned 1.4-gigawatt campus. Experts like Robert Davies, a physics professor at Utah State University, warned the facility could create a dangerous heat island. He argued it would harm local wildlife and ecosystems.

In Utah, state officials approved an even larger data center requiring 9 gigawatts of power—double the state’s current usage. The project is expected to increase Utah’s carbon emissions by 64 percent. Critics say the environmental cost outweighs potential benefits. Elsewhere, Elon Musk’s xAI secured a deal with Anthropic, which will pay $1.5 billion a month until 2029 for access to its computing power. Musk’s own data center in Memphis, Tennessee, made headlines after purchasing over 25 million gallons of water in March to cool its systems. The rapid expansion of AI infrastructure has divided opinion. Supporters highlight advancements like improved medical diagnoses and cheaper battery technology. But economists like Paul Krugman and historian Heather Cox Richardson compare the AI boom to past financial bubbles. They question whether the long-term risks—power shortages, ecological damage, and surveillance concerns—are being ignored. In China, AI networks already enable extensive social control by tracking citizens’ movements, spending, and online activity. Similar fears are now emerging in the US as data centers multiply.

The clash over AI data centers shows no signs of slowing. Local bans, massive energy demands, and environmental warnings are reshaping the debate. With billions invested and more projects planned, the conflict between technological progress and sustainability will likely intensify in the coming years.