The rapid expansion of data centers in Washington and Oregon is threatening the region’s shift to renewable energy, according to a new report.
The report, released by the environmental advocacy group Columbia Riverkeeper, identified more than 100 data centers either completed or in progress across 12 counties bordering the Columbia River.
Kelly Campbell, policy director for the group, said power demand is expected to soar as a result of the data centers and tech companies are turning to fossil fuels to provide power.
“We’re looking at having to put together four new Seattle’s worth of energy in order to power all these data centers,” Campbell pointed out. “My question would be, why? We shouldn’t be going back to using more fossil fuels to power data centers.”
The report called on leaders in Oregon and Washington to impose more regulations on the centers, including transparency around water and energy use and a ban on fossil fuels and new nuclear. The report also called for tech companies to be responsible for developing new renewable energy to supply the centers, helping the region stay on track to meet its climate goals.
Campbell argued part of the problem is there is still a lot the public does not know about data centers because operators keep details hidden. She added The Oregonian newspaper had to sue The Dalles and Google to find out how much water Google was using in theirs. The company claimed it was a trade secret.
“Our researchers had a hard time even finding basic facts,” Campbell noted. “How many data centers there are, where are they located? How much energy do they use? How much water do they use?”
A failed bill in Washington state this year would have regulated data centers and imposed transparency measures but Campbell pointed out operators like Microsoft and Amazon fought hard against it.
She added Columbia Riverkeeper has called for a moratorium on construction of any new centers. At least, she contended, data centers should pay their fair share. Last year’s POWER Act, passed in Oregon, directs regulators to make large energy users responsible for their own energy costs, instead of being subsidized by residents.
Source: Public News Service
