ユタ州の農村部で計画されている大規模データセンター群に対し、エネルギー消費や水使用量、そしてグレートソルトレイクへの悪影響を懸念する市民から反対の声が上がっている。
投資家ケビン・オレアリー氏が支援する「ストラトス・プロジェクト」は、ボックスエルダー郡ハンセルバレーの4万エーカーにおよぶ敷地を開発し、9ギガワットの電力を必要とするものだ。郡委員会は4月に同プロジェクトを承認したが、会議の延長を拒否した当局に対し、1,000人以上の住民が懸念を表明した。ユタ州のスペンサー・コックス知事はその後、水や空気の質、そして農村部への長期的な影響に関する懸念があることを認めた。
Residents in rural areas across the United States are opposing new data center projects over concerns about water supplies, energy costs, and farmland loss. In Tazewell County, Illinois, locals successfully blocked a proposed facility after packed council meetings and petitions. The backlash highlights tensions between AI infrastructure growth and agricultural needs.
AIによるレポート
Data center developers in Utah and elsewhere have requested exemptions from federal pollution regulations to meet the surging energy demands of artificial intelligence infrastructure. Companies like Novva and Thunderhead argued that such relief is essential for national security amid competition with China. Although the requests highlight the industry's challenges, none appear to have been granted for these projects.
President Trump met with executives from major tech companies last month, where they signed a voluntary pledge to cover energy costs for their data centers. The agreement, dubbed the Ratepayer Protection Pledge, includes securing their own power supplies and funding necessary infrastructure. Critics have dismissed it as lacking enforcement mechanisms.
AIによるレポート
Google is constructing a new data center in Texas that employs advanced air-cooling technology to minimize water usage. The facility will restrict water consumption primarily to essential operations such as kitchens. This initiative aligns with the company's broader $40 billion investment in the state over two years.