Data center companies are increasingly adopting a "playbook" similar to fossil fuel industries by siting facilities in low-income communities and communities of color. This strategy takes advantage of systemic inequities, regulatory failures, and reduced political resistance to secure lower land acquisition costs. These siting decisions, coupled with a lack of regulation, result in disproportionate health and cost effects on the most vulnerable populations

Key Facts

At a Glance:

• Regional Disparities: In California, 82% of data centers are located in communities already suffering from poor air quality (Kapor Foundation).
• Environmental Hazards: Nearly two-thirds (65%) of California data centers are in areas with high groundwater threats, and 79% are near areas with significant hazardous waste Kapor Foundation.
• Concentrated Power: South of Dallas, Texas, six proposed projects totalling over one gigawatt (GW) of power are located in or bordering majority Black and Latine communities Kapor Foundation.
• National Problem: While current data highlights regional trends on the West Coast, evidence suggests this is a growing national crisis Kapor Foundation.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):

• Q: Why are data centers concentrated in these specific neighborhoods?

A: Companies often target these areas due to lower land costs, existing systemic inequities in urban planning, and a perceived lack of legal resistance from the community.

• Q: What are the primary consequences of this siting trend?

A: Siting data centers in already burdened areas compounds preexisting environmental impacts, leading to real and disproportionate health risks for residents

Events:

Working Session on Gateway 1: Site Selection & Land Acquisition

Working Session on Gateway 2: Power & Utility Connections

Working Session on Gateway 6: Construction & Operational Permits

Resources/ Sources:

• World Health Organization: Ambient (outdoor) air quality and health. This fact sheet outlines the major health risks associated with outdoor air pollution, including its role in causing respiratory and cardiovascular diseases globally.
• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency: Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) Search Results. This database output provides specific tracking data on the disposal and release of toxic chemicals from industrial facilities within the Memphis region.
• Kapor Foundation: Data Centers & Environmental Justice. This report examines the environmental and public health implications of data center expansion, specifically focusing on the impact on water, energy, and air quality in surrounding communities.