Data centers are dependent on local governments for zoning and permits for construction and they are spending billions to build them across the US. Erin Brockovich is using data using community reports from the people to map data centers across the US, and her map shows 9,400 data centers so far (LINK for MAPD). 

She told Theo Von that every state has been infested with data centers and that city councils may be duped into believing will increase jobs and commerce. However, data centers bring water shortages, higher energy bills, pollution, overuse of resources like trees, noise, etc. Some city council members sign non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) and refuse to give any information to their constituents. Some city councils have re-zoned areas or bent the rules for permitting. 

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Warning: some vulgar language

AI Data Centers Across the United States

A map of major AI data centers across the U.S. — operational, under construction, permitted, proposed and cancelled — overlaid with locations where community members have emailed in concerns. Click any marker for details, or use the layer switcher at the top right of the map to show and hide categories.

9,399

COMMUNITY REPORTED

locations nationwide

124 OPERATIONAL

built & running

152 UNDER CONSTRUCTION

ground broken

33 PERMITTED

approved, not yet built

145 PROPOSED

in pipeline / pending approval