Over 200 environmental groups call for national ban on new data center construction citing climate and water concerns

A coalition of more than 200 environmental organizations has united to demand Congress impose a nationwide moratorium on approving and building new data centers, citing mounting concerns about their environmental impact. The groups delivered their letter to lawmakers on Monday, highlighting how these massive digital facilities are straining local water supplies, driving up electricity costs, and contributing significantly to greenhouse gas emissions.

Data centers, which house the servers powering everything from social media platforms to cloud computing services, require enormous amounts of water to keep their equipment cool and prevent overheating. This cooling process can drain millions of gallons daily from local water systems, creating particular strain in drought-prone regions already struggling with water scarcity. Additionally, these facilities consume vast quantities of electricity—often equivalent to powering tens of thousands of homes—leading to increased energy costs for surrounding communities and greater reliance on fossil fuel power generation.

The environmental coalition’s letter underscores growing grassroots resistance to data center development across the country, as communities witness firsthand the impacts on their local resources and utility bills. Many residents are organizing opposition campaigns, arguing that the economic benefits promised by tech companies don’t offset the environmental costs imposed on their neighborhoods.

As digital demand continues surging and tech giants expand their infrastructure footprints, this coordinated call for a construction freeze represents one of the largest unified environmental responses to the industry’s rapid growth. The groups are urging Congress to pause new approvals until comprehensive environmental impact assessments and stronger regulatory frameworks can be established.