Data centers are facing a significant backlash from the public and some policymakers over their energy usage, but the companies backing the projects may not be doing enough to push back.
Technology giants fueling the data center boom like Google, Meta and Amazon have been active in state utility regulatory proceedings and local government fights where they want to build facilities. They’ve also bolstered their Washington lobbying on the issue.
The companies argue projects are paying their fair share for electricity and any burdens they bring to the electric grid, and can even reduce prices for other customers. But as the industry increasingly faces charges that data centers are harmful to the electric grid, are the main cause of skyrocketing electricity bills and use polluting energy sources, the companies’ rebuttals don’t seem to be getting through.
“Whatever they’re doing right now is clearly not working from a communications and lobbying perspective,” said Nate Mason, a former energy analyst at the State Department who has studied the effects of data centers on the electric grid and argued that they can bring numerous benefits.
