Data Centers Strain Great Lakes Water Supplies
Tech companies including Microsoft and Meta are building large, energy- and water-intensive data centers across the Great Lakes region in 2024, prompting local pushback over falling lake levels and strained infrastructure. Reports estimate U.S. data center energy use at about 183 terawatt-hours in 2024 (projected 426 TWh by 2030), and cite projects like a $15 billion Lake Michigan build that could draw billions of gallons, driving regulatory scrutiny.
Key Points
- 1Report shows surging data center construction near Great Lakes using abundant freshwater and grid power
- 2Cite energy use around 183 TWh in 2024, projected 426 TWh by 2030, stressing grids
- 3Recommend policymakers enforce water accounting, moratoriums, and require renewable-backed power contracts
Scoring Rationale
Highlights growing regional infrastructure and credible data, limited by primarily regional focus and not novel technological advancement.
Sources
Public references used for this report.
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