Data Centers: Big Power, Big Pollution

A recent study shows that data centers across the United States are not just busy with computers; they also generate a hefty environmental toll. The research, carried out by an economist at Carnegie Mellon, looked at almost 2, 800 data centers in operation in 2025. Using public information from energy and environmental agencies, the study estimated that these facilities cost the nation about $25 billion in pollution and health expenses last year. The numbers grow as more centers pop up. If the current trend continues, energy use by data centers could rise sharply, driving pollution and health costs up to 85 percent in the near future. In 2025, data centers already consumed roughly five percent of all U. S. electricity—much of it powering artificial‑intelligence tasks. Geography matters a lot. Only ten states accounted for 70 percent of the pollution and health damage in 2025, with Virginia and Texas alone responsible for a third of the total costs. These two states also host the most data centers, according to industry trackers. Virginia has even proposed limits on new facilities, while Texas is largely open to expansion.

Legislative action is gathering momentum. Since late 2025, at least eleven states have drafted bills to restrict or ban new data center projects. Maine temporarily halted large centers for 18 months, but the governor vetoed the measure and lawmakers could not override her. In Mississippi, a civil‑rights group sued Elon Musk’s AI firm for using polluting turbines that allegedly violate air‑quality laws. Public opinion is shifting too. A recent poll in Virginia found only 35 percent of voters support new data center construction, down from nearly seventy percent a year earlier. Nationwide surveys show most Americans view data centers as more harmful than helpful, citing environmental damage and higher local energy bills. The findings highlight a clear trade‑off: the digital infrastructure that powers modern life also exacts an environmental price. Addressing this balance will require careful policy, cleaner energy sources, and perhaps a rethink of how much data we store and where.

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