A coalition of more than 230 organisations has called on the US Congress to enact a “full national moratorium” on the approval and construction of new data centres.
The letter, organised and delivered by Food & Water Watch, argues that the infrastructure boom driven by artificial intelligence and cryptocurrency presents “one of the biggest environmental and social threats of our generation”.
Signatories to the demand include Physicians for Social Responsibility, Greenpeace, Friends of the Earth, Progressive Democrats of America, Our Revolution and Americans for Financial Reform.
“At a time when millions of Americans are already struggling with soaring utility costs, the sudden explosion of the Big Data industry represents an existential threat for communities ill-equipped to handle the massive environmental and economic hardships these data centers inflict,” says Wenonah Hauter, Executive Director, Food & Water Watch.
“The only prudent action is to halt the unfettered expansion of this dangerous industry in order to properly examine all manner of potential harm before it’s too late.”
Millions of households
Recent analysis from Food & Water Watch suggests that by 2028, AI-supporting data centres could consume 720 billion gallons of water annually, an amount sufficient to meet the indoor needs of 18.5 million households.
The research further projects that these facilities could consume 300 terawatt-hours of energy annually, enough electricity to power more than 28 million households.
The letter notes that 56 per cent of the electricity used to power data centres is sourced from fossil fuels, contradicting industry claims of sustainability.
Economic concerns are also highlighted, with the coalition pointing out that electricity rates increased 21.3 per cent from 2021 to 2024, “drastically outpacing inflation”.
The signatories argue this infrastructure expansion is “rapidly increasing demand for energy, driving more fossil fuel pollution, straining water resources and raising electricity prices across the country”.
The demand for a moratorium comes as the Trump administration releases an “AI Action Plan” outlining priorities for the advancement of artificial intelligence, which seeks to dismantle environmental rules viewed as hindrances to industry growth.
Social impacts are also cited, with the letter noting that “AI could negate half of all entry-level white-collar jobs in the next five years and spike overall unemployment by up to 20 percent”.
“We urge you to join our call for a national moratorium on new data centres until adequate regulations can be enacted to fully protect our communities, our families, our environment and our health from the runaway damage this industry is already inflicting”.
