Unlikely Coalitions Form to Oppose Data Center Expansion Across the U.S.
By
Paul Messersmith-Glavin
Toasted golden, schmeared with insight. Top of the rack.
Summary
The article examines the growing grassroots resistance to data center construction across the United States, highlighting how diverse groups—including Indigenous organizers, rural white residents, anarchists, and union activists—are uniting against the tech industry's massive energy and water consumption. With 4,000-5,000 data centers currently operating and at least 3,000 more planned, these unlikely coalitions are forming to oppose the environmental and community impacts of data center expansion.
Key quotes
· 4 pulledBetween 4,000 and 5,000 data centers are actively humming in the U.S. right now, draining energy and, in the case of some of the hyperscale ones, consuming as much as 5 million gallons of water per day.
At least 3,000 more data centers are under construction or planned, prompting a diverse grassroots mobilization against their construction.
Indigenous people are resisting continued attempts to exploit their land, air, and water.
Anarchists, union activists, Indigenous organizers, and disgruntled Trumpists find themselves side by side in the fight.
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