- Heat waves increase electricity demand for data centers, straining power grids and worsening local air quality.
- Data centers use energy-intensive cooling systems and backup diesel generators, which can harm air quality during heat waves.
- Lowell, Massachusetts residents oppose a local data center due to environmental and health concerns, leading to a moratorium on expansion.
- Data center electricity use is growing locally but not nationally, though large power consumers pose grid reliability risks.
- Community tensions over data centers have escalated, including protests and police involvement at public meetings.