Brockovich map tracks US data centre expansion amid resource concerns
The interactive tool documents construction sites and temporary moratoriums across several states, highlighting tensions between digital infrastructure demands and local resource availability.
Environmental activist Erin Brockovich has launched an online platform designed to track the planning and construction of data centres across the United States. The initiative, titled the Brockovich Data Center, features an interactive map intended to provide citizens with visibility into the location and scale of new facilities. Brockovich stated that the platform aims to prevent the public from being the last to know about local developments, noting that the map reveals patterns of growth, conflict, and uncertainty in the sector.
Since its launch in April, the platform has received thousands of tip-offs regarding new projects. The move comes as big-tech companies accelerate the construction of data centres to support artificial intelligence and cloud services. Currently, the United States hosts approximately 5,400 data centres, the highest number globally, according to the Euronews portal. Germany follows as the second-largest market, with the United Kingdom, China, and Canada also holding significant numbers.
Critics, including Brockovich and the Berlin-based NGO AlgorithmWatch, argue that the rapid proliferation of these facilities places excessive strain on local resources. A single data centre can consume as much energy as a small town, while hardware turnover generates significant electronic waste. Concerns also extend to water usage for cooling systems and noise pollution affecting nearby communities. Furthermore, reports indicate that despite billions in investment, these facilities often create limited local employment opportunities.
The platform documents temporary construction moratoriums in several US states, including North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Florida, Texas, and Maine. These pauses are intended to allow time for impact assessments. However, political challenges persist; in April, Governor Janet Mills of Maine vetoed a state parliament-imposed moratorium on data centres requiring more than 20 megawatts of power, preventing the restriction from taking effect.
Opposition to data centre expansion is also evident internationally. In Germany, US company Edgeconnex recently abandoned plans to construct a gas power station for a data centre following local opposition. Meanwhile, reports from Spain suggest that inadequate consultation remains a issue, with some mayors learning of construction plans only after they appeared in local press reports. Brockovich’s platform seeks to address these transparency gaps within the United States.
