Residents living near the burgeoning data center industry in Northern Virginia are reporting severe disturbances, including relentless noise, air pollution, and vibrations, as the demand for artificial intelligence capabilities spurs unprecedented growth in these facilities. The area, known as 'Data Centre Alley,' is home to the largest concentration of data centers globally, housing infrastructure for tech giants like Amazon, Google, Microsoft, and Meta.
Greg Pirio, a 75-year-old writer in Sterling, Virginia, describes the noise from a nearby Vantage Data Centers facility as a combination of a low-pitched drone from air conditioning units and a high-pitched whine from natural gas turbines. This constant din, exacerbated by the testing of backup diesel generators, forces him to work in a darkened room due to dry eyes caused by soot particles from the turbines. "He and his neighbours could, of course, move, but selling their properties would rely on potential buyers miraculously failing to notice what they would have to live with," the Daily Mail reported.
This suburban region has become a hub for data centers over the past two decades, attracted by its proximity to Washington D.C. and robust fiber optic connections. Local governments, like that of Loudoun County, have historically encouraged this development, reaping substantial tax revenue. Last year, Loudoun's 200 data centers generated nearly $900 million in tax revenue. However, critics argue this financial incentive has led to a carte blanche for data center placement, often with insufficient public consultation.
The insatiable appetite of AI for computing power is driving the construction of increasingly vast data centers. Some AI data centers are so large their dimensions are measured in miles, with one planned in Utah set to cover 62 square miles. This expansion is placing a significant strain on local infrastructure. Power shortages are becoming common, with some data centers lying dormant due to insufficient electricity supplies. The Vantage 2 data center near Pirio's home uniquely runs on natural gas because the grid lacked the capacity. The push for self-generation of power through new sub-stations is also raising concerns about additional noise and air pollution.
Environmental impacts extend beyond noise and air quality. Data center operators are accused of consuming vast amounts of water for cooling and returning it to the water system, sometimes in a polluted state. Furthermore, the demand for land by data centers is exacerbating a severe housing shortage in areas like Northern Virginia by outbidding homebuilders.
Concerns are not confined to Virginia. A significant backlash against AI and data centers is growing across the United States. A recent Gallup survey indicated that 71% of Americans oppose the construction of an AI data center in their community. This sentiment unites both Democrats and Republicans, fueled by fears of job losses and environmental degradation.
Despite this public opposition, some governments are actively seeking to expand the data center industry. In the UK, the Labour party has designated data centers as 'Critical National Infrastructure.' However, residents in established 'Data Centre Alley' offer a stark warning. Vicky Hu, an estate agent in Loudoun County, is fighting plans for a high-voltage electricity pylon near her home to connect an Amazon data center. She urges Britain to "learn from our mistake, because the money you guys think you’re going to make is not enough to cover what’s being destroyed."
In Prince William County, a coalition is challenging a plan to build a large data center development near the historic Battle of Manassas site, arguing that the county fast-tracked the approval process without adequate public input. Kathy Kulick, a prominent opponent of data centers, stated, "This industry is out of control, and it will buy and sell us all if we don’t get a handle on it soon."
Stories like that of Sheri Sweeney, whose family has experienced structural damage to their home and sleep disturbances due to a nearby Google data center in Bristow, Virginia, highlight the personal toll. Her children require white noise machines due to the constant hum, and she fears the impact of future, larger developments. "As a scientist, there’s been no studies to show that marrying these types of operations in a residential neighbourhood is a good idea," Sweeney said. "I believe you pick a house and you pick a neighbourhood because you want to feel safe at home, but I feel like we’ve signed our family up for an experiment."