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Data centers are changing communities. Get the facts behind the claims.
Examine the evidence on water, power, cooling, jobs, taxes, emissions, and community impact — presented as Claim, Evidence, and What's still unknown.
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Select a state to see reported facility activity, power, water, cooling, sources, and recent news. Activity levels are qualitative; precise facility totals are only shown where a cited methodology exists.
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Newsroom
Latest briefings
Last checked: Nov 2, 12:03 PM · Last successful update: Nov 2, 12:03 PM
National Grid buys land in Teesside, UK, for 3.2GW substation to power AI data center
National Grid has purchased land in Teesside, UK, for a planned 3.2GW substation. The facility is expected to supply power to a data center within an AI growth zone.
Why this matters: Large grid connections like this show how the electricity demands of AI-focused data centers are shaping utility infrastructure planning and investment.
Source: Data Center Dynamics · retrieved Nov 2, 12:03 PM
Nebul deploys Nvidia GPUs at Datacenter United campus in Belgium
Data Center Dynamics reports that Nebul, a European AI cloud provider, is deploying Nvidia GPUs at a Datacenter United campus in Machelen, Belgium. The deployment is described as providing AI cloud leasing capacity in Europe.
Why this matters: It illustrates how AI computing capacity is being placed in colocation facilities outside the U.S., which is relevant to understanding where and how AI infrastructure is being built globally.
Source: Data Center Dynamics · retrieved Nov 2, 12:03 PM
Germany's Nexspace to develop 4MW data center outside Munich
Germany's Nexspace is developing a 4MW data center outside Munich, according to Data Center Dynamics. The project is described as part of the company's expansion of its Edge portfolio.
Why this matters: Projects like this show how data center capacity is being added in smaller, regionally distributed facilities, which can shape local energy demand, land use, and digital infrastructure access.
Source: Data Center Dynamics · retrieved Nov 2, 12:03 PM
ServerDomes breaks ground on domed data center campus outside El Paso, Texas
ServerDomes has broken ground on a data center campus near El Paso, Texas, made up of domed facilities. According to the excerpt, the campus is planned to be powered by natural gas.
Why this matters: On-site or gas-based power for data centers raises questions about energy supply, local infrastructure, and emissions that communities may want to weigh alongside the project's potential economic benefits.
Source: Data Center Dynamics · retrieved Nov 2, 12:03 PM
Google commits $160m to develop water treatment plant for planned data center in Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia
Google has committed $160 million to develop a water treatment plant tied to its planned data center in Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia. According to the excerpt, the facility will also serve the local community.
Why this matters: The project shows how data center developers may build water infrastructure that has implications for both facility operations and the water needs of surrounding communities.
Source: Data Center Dynamics · retrieved Nov 2, 12:03 PM
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The core method
Claims vs. Evidence
Every issue is presented in three parts so you can judge for yourself.
Tax Revenue
Claim
Data centers generate large tax revenue for communities.
Evidence
ReportedIn some jurisdictions (e.g., Loudoun County, VA), data center tangible-property taxes contribute a substantial share of local revenue. Many states also offer tax incentives that reduce revenue.
What's still unknown
Net fiscal impact depends on local tax structure and incentives granted. Results in one county do not generalize to others.
Water
Claim
Data centers use enormous amounts of water.
Evidence
ReportedSome facilities using evaporative cooling consume substantial water; reported figures for individual large sites have ranged into the hundreds of millions of gallons per year. Water use varies enormously by cooling design, climate, and whether water is withdrawn vs. consumed.
What's still unknown
There is no comprehensive, standardized national dataset of data center water use. Many facilities do not publicly report, and 'water use' is often cited without distinguishing withdrawal from consumption.
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