Famed environmental activist Erin Brockovich is focusing her efforts on the rapid expansion of data centers across the country through a new platform that tracks where the facilities are being built and documents complaints from nearby residents.
News of the site spread across social media on May 24, with brockovichdatacenter.com outlining several major concerns tied to data centers nationwide, including massive energy consumption, rising environmental costs, and heavy water usage for cooling systems that critics say could strain local water supplies.
“The RACE to build AI infrastructures is unfolding town by town across America. In some places, data centers are welcomed. In others, they are delayed, contested or abandoned altogether. This MAP captures the real-world footprint of that race — revealing patterns of growth, conflict and uncertainty,” Brockovich says on the site.
“I am watching as YOU, the communities show up and speak out. In the famous words of Mark Twain … “The secret of getting ahead is getting started,” so let’s go!,” she added.
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The site also points to several other concerns tied to data centers, including rising electronic waste from constant hardware upgrades, vulnerability to natural disasters and geopolitical risks, growing infrastructure strain as facilities rapidly expand, and nonstop noise from cooling systems and backup generators that can impact nearby neighborhoods.
According to statistics listed on the site, more than 2,716 complaints had been submitted as of May 24, with Texas leading the nation at 612 reports. The state is also home to more than 460 data centers, according to Data Center Map.
“These challenges highlight the need for sustainable, secure, and efficient AI data center practices,” the website said. “Self-reporting is the best way we can get this information out to the public!”
News of Erin Brockovich’s latest environmental effort quickly spread across social media, with many praising the activist best known for helping build the landmark case against Pacific Gas and Electric Company over groundwater contamination in California. The legal battle later inspired the hit film “Erin Brockovich,” which earned Julia Roberts historic awards recognition for her starring role.
“Glad that there are activists of her caliber in our society,” one X user said while sharing information about her advocacy work.
“Erin Brockovich was my absolute hero after I watched the Julia Roberts movie about her decades ago…. These data centers must be stopped,” another user wrote.
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