Left: Annie and a group of concerned neighbors have been working together to fight LBT Investment Group, who want to build a massive data center campus in Sugarloaf. The 185-acre site would neighbor an even larger proposed data center campus called Project Hazelnut. Right: Annie is speaking at a Sugarloaf Township meeting where they are discussing a zoning ordinance amendment that would allow for the construction of the new LBT data center campus. Photos by Joseph Pecora Photography
“If you don’t think it’s coming to your backyard, you’re wrong.” Annie Vinatieri cautioned.
Annie lives in northeastern Pennsylvania, about a 45-minute drive southwest of Scranton. Coal mining domi- nated this region in the 19th century, before its collapse left a legacy of economic hardship and pollution. Now, Annie worries about Artificial Intelligence (AI) data centers and how they would threaten her community’s access to water and raise elec- tricity rates for people already struggling to keep up with the cost of living. AI’s massive appetite AI’s rapid rollout has led to a surge in the construction of new data centers, the back- bone of this technology. The problem? These facilities use huge amounts of energy and water. They’ve already
caused a spike in demand for power that’s driving up energy bills and gobbling up water in water-stressed regions. Making matters worse, tech companies have turned to dirty energy, even using old coal-powered plants, to fulfill AI’s growing appetite. Big Oil, seizing on the opportunity, is using Big Tech’s hunger for more energy as an excuse to build more fossil fuel infrastructure. AI boom is a bust for communities Despite serious concerns about energy and water, the Trump administration is pushing to fast-track AI data center construction nationally with sweeping deregulations, and some Democratic leaders, such as Pennsylvania Governor Shapiro, are embracing the plan.
Energy demand from AI servers and data centers in the U.S. is expected to triple in the next 5 years. Not-So-Fun Fact
Proposals to build data centers have flooded Pennsylvania. Annie, an activist and leader in local grassroots organizations, is seeing this firsthand. “Greed is bipartisan,” Annie emphasized. In Pennsylvania and across the country, elected officials of all political stripes are rolling out the red carpet for data centers and related dirty energy proj- ects, including offering big tax breaks — all while families face skyrocketing electricity bills, water shortages, and the pros- pect of increased pollution.
What are AI data centers? AI data centers are massive warehouses packed with super- powered computers. These machines use way more energy and run much hotter than your typical computer, which means they also need a lot of water to keep cool.
AI Boom - continue on Page 3 >
FOOD & WATER WATCH / ACTION — LIVABLE FUTURE NOW | 2
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