NEWS & MEDIA
This page features news reports, videos, articles, and other media related to data centers and their potential effects on surrounding communities. These materials are provided as examples of experiences and issues reported in other communities. Links to original sources are included whenever possible.
Living Near a Data Center: Sterling, Virginia
This report from The National Desk examines concerns raised by residents living next to a large data center in Sterling, Virginia, including noise, lighting and generator exhaust. It is included here as an example of issues reported by communities near existing data center facilities.
Virginia - Community Concerns About Data Center Development
The video highlights concerns raised during a Virginia public meeting regarding data center development and its potential effects on nearby land and communities. It is included as an example of issues residents in other communities have raised as large data center projects are considered
Georgia Owners and Data Center-Driven Power Expansion
A Coweta County family’s experience illustrates how Georgia’s rapid growth in electricity demand—including substantial demand from data centers—can affect homeowners far beyond the boundaries of a data center itself. Ansley Brown documented her family’s experience after Georgia Power sought property for the Ashley Park-Wansley transmission project. Her mother ultimately reached an agreement with Georgia Power. The project is part of a broader expansion of Georgia’s electric grid as power demand grows across the state.
Independent reporting: CBS News—Georgia power expansion, data centers, and eminent domain
Additional reporting: WSB-TV-Power grid expansion and Georgia homeowners
The Hidden Water Cost of Electricity
Water use associated with data centers extends beyond water used directly for cooling. A 2026 Ceres analysis examined data centers in seven states, including Georgia, and estimated approximately 3.4 trillion gallons of annual freshwater withdrawals—not necessarily water permanently consumed-and highlights the importance of considering electricity-related water demands when evaluating data center impacts.
Community Concerns Are Growing Nationwide
Communities across the country are raising questions about large-scale data center development, including concerns about water and electricity demand, noise, land use, transparency, and the role residents have in local decisions. This video from the Humans First “AI Data Center Revolt” tour illustrates some of those concerns. It is included here as an example of the broader national discussion surrounding data center development.
Georgia Power Expansion and Data Center Demand
In February 2026, federal officials announced a $26.5 billion loan package supporting major electric-generation and transmission expansion in Georgia and Alabama. Reporting on the announcement cited rapidly growing electricity demand from data centers as a major factor. Plant Bowen in Bartow County is among Georgia facilities identified for additional generation.
Georgia Power Expansion and Data Center Demand
U.S. Department of Energy - Federal Loan and Georgia Power Expansion
The U.S. Department of Energy announced the $26.5 billion loan package supporting electric generation and grid expansion in Georgia and Alabama. The planned Georgia investments include additional generation at Plant Bowen in Bartow County.
Wisconsin Data Center Noise Lawsuit - 2026
Residents living near Microsoft’s Fairwater data center in Mount Pleasant, Wisconsin, filed a proposed class-action lawsuit alleging excessive noise and impacts on the use and enjoyment of their property. Microsoft has separately acknowledged complaints about a tonal humming sound from cooling fans and says it has implemented noise-mitigation measures. The lawsuit remains pending, and the residents’ allegations have not been finally adjudicated.
Independent news coverage:
Wisconsin Public Radio - Microsoft sued over noise complaints at new Mount Pleasant data center.