Next Meeting of the Data Center Subcommittee:
Monday, June 8 at 6:30pm
219 W. Ormsby Ave., Louisville
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Giant data centers powering generative AI have raised concerns in already maginalized communities nationwide. Residents of Louisville & Jefferson Co. deserve accurate information about the effects of these centers & how they can get involved in the democratic process.
As Democratic Socialists, we believe in true democracy—this means that power originates from the multiracial working class. Currently, data centers are being proposed & constructed based on the decisions of non-elected officials, despite widespread community opposition. A center has already been approved right here in Louisville on Camp Ground Road.
We have the power to fight for a better future. Get involved with DSA and help us fight back against hyperscale data centers & reclaim our communities!
WHAT IS OUR DEMAND?
Right now, the people with the power to approve data center construction in Louisville are NOT democratically elected, but appointed directly by the mayor. We want democratic input on planning commission nominations through neighborhood organizations or district advisory councils.
We also want a moratorium on new data center approvals to be enacted until the community has been engaged in review & updates to local land codes and regulations.
HOW DO DATA CENTERS DISRUPT WORKING CLASS LIVES AND WORSEN CLIMATE CHANGE?
Consume more energy and raise utility bills
Higher energy demand raises utility bills. Exisiting LG&E customers will be paying for new energy infrastructure to power the hyperscale data center that has been approved.
Steal millions of gallons of water PER DAY
Hyperscale data centers consume up to 5 MILLION gallons of water every DAY.
Pollute our already polluted air
The area surrounding the approved hyperscale data center already has the highest rates of hospitalization due to asthma in the city.
Cause “heat islands”
A recent study shows that hyperscale data centers contribute to “heat islands” by raising temperatures in the surrounding area by 3.6 degrees.
Take over farms and forests
Louisville has already lost 140 acres of wooded land to the development of ONE hyperscale data center.
Create unrelenting noise
Data centers’ massive demand for power and cooling creates constant noise that can be heard inside of nearby homes.
HOW CAN YOU GET INVOLVED
Call and email your Metro Councilperson
Advocate for District Advisory Councils and demand oversight of Planning Commission nominations.
Attend public forums and debates
Ask questions about data centers and voice your concerns.
Use our organizing toolkit
Learn more about data centers and how you can get involved and fighting them.
Our work fighting Data Centers is only as strong as the people who get involved.
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE EFFECTS OF DATA CENTERS
WATER USAGE
One medium-sized data center can consume up to around 110 million gallons of water per year, which is the same annual water usage of around 1,000 households.¹ Larger data centers can each use up to 5 million gallons per day.²
Hyperscale data centers, such as the Camp Ground Road development, can consume up to 5 million gallons of water per day (3).
In 2021, it was estimated that U.S. data centers consume 449 million gallons of water per day, collectively.4 This number will continue to increase as more hyperscale data centers are being developed.
Around 20% of United States data centers utilize watersheds that are under “moderate” to “high” intensity physical, chemical, and biological stressors.5
LAND USAGE
The construction of data centers requires the use of impermeable surfaces, including steel, concrete, and pavements. This land can no longer be used for farmland, nature, or housing.6
In 2024, the average data center site spanned 224 acres (0.35 square miles), the size of 450 football fields. This number increased by 144% from 2022.7
ENERGY USAGE
Data centers’ energy use could constitute up to 12% of total U.S. electricity consumption by 2028.8
Up to 90 GW worth of data centers could become active by 2030, which is about 900% of New York City’s peak summer energy demand being added to the grid in less than five years.9
PUBLIC HEALTH
Harmful air pollutants are released from data centers. For example, the nitrogen oxides that are released from diesel-fueled backup generators are 200 to 600 times more prevalent in data centers than natural gas plants.10
Pollutants similar to those released from data centers have been linked to respiratory disease, heart disease, asthma, pregnancy complications, and more.11
The overuse of water leads to water insecurity, which increases chances of poor hygiene, dehydration, and waterborne diseases.12
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