Data centre debate heats up ahead of US midterms (www.bbc.com)

The debate surrounding data centres is intensifying ahead of the US midterm elections on November 3, with concerns about their rapid growth, high electricity consumption, and environmental impact sparking public backlash. As the backbone of AI advancements, housing the necessary computing infrastructure for services like ChatGPT and Claude, these facilities have been a focal point of contention. Both major political parties in the US are voicing opposition to new data centre developments, putting them at odds with figures like former President Donald Trump, who downplays these concerns. Data centres, particularly hyperscale facilities owned by tech giants, are proliferating in the US, which has the highest concentration globally. Their energy usage has reached unprecedented levels—exceeding the electricity consumption of France—and they require significant water resources for cooling, further straining local ecosystems. For instance, the upcoming Colossus 2 site, designed to support AI operations, will utilize methane gas turbines, raising alarms about potential air pollution. While these centres can create jobs, the environmental implications are prompting the tech industry to seek sustainable alternatives as the rollout continues amidst growing scrutiny.