Use this map to find the data centers in your backyard
The Verge • • business
Key Points:
- Oregon city The Dalles sought ownership of 150 acres of Mount Hood National Forest to access watershed resources, sparking criticism that it aims to supply more water to Google's large data center campus, which already uses about one-third of the city's water.
- University of Washington student Isabelle Reksopuro created an interactive, self-updating map tracking global AI and data center policies to increase public understanding and transparency around data center developments.
- Data centers face bipartisan opposition in the U.S. due to limited permanent job creation and rising power costs, though policies vary widely—Maine attempted a moratorium on hyperscale data centers, while Texas offers over $1 billion annually in tax breaks to attract them.
- Reksopuro advocates for greater transparency and community involvement in data center planning, suggesting that prior knowledge could empower residents to negotiate benefits like job training, tax revenue, and environmental protections.