Big Data, Data Centers, and Their Environmental Impacts - What is the best path forward?

Data centers have become essential infrastructure for the modern economy, and data center electricity use in the U.S. could triple again by 2028. The pace of digital growth -- driven by cloud computing, mobile devices, and artificial intelligence -- is outstripping traditional planning cycles. This does not signal crisis, but it does create a need for more proactive, coordinated decision‑making. Communities can be better positioned to manage impacts and guide outcomes that will capture future benefits. Communities, utilities, and policymakers are paying closer attention to how and where data centers are built.

This article builds on the findings of the January 2026 Dovetail Report on the environmental impacts of data centers. Also see the infographic available here.