Data centers are massive facilities that store, process, and manage digital data. They act as the backbone of the internet, cloud computing, and, more often than not, AI services. This, however, comes at a detrimental environmental cost to local ecosystems, proper drinking water, and the quality of life for those—both human and animal alike—whose homes have been invaded by them. The citizens of Putnam County will not stand for the victimization of their community by large-scale data corporations.

     Despite the stereotypes these companies would love to believe, Appalachians are not uneducated and naive simpletons. We know when we're being taken advantage of. So, let's go over some important information to keep this from happening, starting with some basic data center facts they're not counting on you knowing!

• “Data centers’ continuous operation generates significant heat, necessitating energy-intensive cooling systems to maintain optimal temperatures. Some data centers use water-based cooling systems, which can lead to substantial water consumption. An average Google data center consumes approximately 450,000 gallons of water per day. This can strain local water resources, especially in areas prone to drought or with limited water supply. Overall, data center cooling systems are responsible for over 40% of their electricity usage.” Article of reference: https://www.staxengineering.com/stax-hub/the-environmental-impact-of-data-centers/

• “All data centers worldwide combined consume 32% more electricity than all of Britain. Power generation is already the largest source of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in the world, and the energy required to keep these essential data centers operational, while staggering, is only poised to increase dramatically.” Article of reference: https://www.staxengineering.com/stax-hub/the-environmental-impact-of-data-centers/

•  “Diesel exhaust from the backup generators contains fine particles that can cause health problems for people who are exposed frequently and at high enough levels. When people inhale polluted air, particulates embed in their lungs and bloodstreams, causing heart and lung disease. After just a short period of exposure, these toxic air pollutants can cause breathing and other health issues, especially if you already have lung problems, such as asthma.” Article of reference: https://www.staxengineering.com/stax-hub/the-environmental-impact-of-data-centers/

•  “Data centers use a lot of diesel generators to keep systems online 24/7. Not only are these generators used when data centers need a backup power source, they are turned on and tested monthly. Every time they are started, a great deal of emissions is sent into the air, impacting nearby communities. Emission capture and control systems retain and filter the exhaust from diesel generators.” Article of reference: https://www.staxengineering.com/stax-hub/the-environmental-impact-of-data-centers/

• “A medium-sized data center can consume up to roughly 110 million gallons of water per year for cooling purposes, equivalent to the annual water usage of approximately 1,000 households. Larger data centers can each “drink” up to 5 million gallons per day, or about 1.8 billion annually, usage equivalent to a town of 10,000 to 50,000 people. Together, the nation’s 5,426 data centers consume billions of gallons of water annually. One report estimated that U.S. data centers consume 449 million gallons of water per day and 163.7 billion gallons annually (as of 2021).” Article of reference: https://www.eesi.org/articles/view/data-centers-and-water-consumption

• “As few as 23,000 people likely held permanent jobs at data centers throughout the U.S. as of 2024. This represented about 0.01 percent of all employment across the country, while at the same time the industry consumed more than 4 percent of all electricity usage.”  Article of reference: https://www.foodandwaterwatch.org/2026/01/07/new-research-debunks-data-center-industry-job-claims/

• “FWW estimates that as few as 23,000 people nationwide held a permanent data center job in 2024.”  Article of reference: https://www.foodandwaterwatch.org/2026/01/07/new-research-debunks-data-center-industry-job-claims/

• “Virginia data centers generate just 1 permanent job for every $13 million invested, based on Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP) data dating back to 1990. In contrast, it cost a mere $137,000 to create 1 job outside of the data center secton— nearly 100 times less investment.” Article of reference: https://www.foodandwaterwatch.org/2026/01/07/new-research-debunks-data-center-industry-job-claims/ 

• “From 2020 through late 2025, Virginia’s data centers have only created 1 direct, permanent job for every $54 million invested — 168 times more than what it cost to create 1 permanent non-data center job ($322,000)“ Article of reference: https://www.foodandwaterwatch.org/2026/01/07/new-research-debunks-data-center-industry-job-claims/ 

    It seems like a lot of things to memorize, doesn't it? Don't worry. If article skimming isn't your thing, there are still ways for you to oppose this destructive infrastructure! Community work takes unity from those with different skill sets.

Q: “I've signed the petition; what else can I do to help from home?”

A: Apply pressure to leaders who were elected to serve in the people's interest! This comes in many different forms, but most notably by contacting your representatives. You can do this with the step-by-step guide found on the website listed here! It is your right to contact your representatives! https://5calls.org/issue/constituent-services-concerned-voter/ If you'd like to reference anti-data center research, feel free to use these links here:

1. https://ceds.org/datacenter/
2. https://www.datacenterwatch.org/report
3. https://news.mit.edu/2025/explained-generative-ai-environmental-impact-0117
4. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/with-ai-on-the-rise-what-will-be-the-environmental-impacts-of-data-centers-180987379/
5. https://climatejusticealliance.org/ai/
6. https://fordschool.umich.edu/news/2025/growth-data-centers-requires-new-policies-mitigate-local-community-impacts
7. https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/dec/08/us-data-centers

Q: “How can I get the word out about the data center and how harmful it is?”

A: Consider having a talk with your inner circle. Get to know the ins and outs of the topic, and once you're comfortable enough, branch out to your neighbors and community as well! If Appalachians love anything—it's small talk in the bread aisle of a grocery store. It's time to use that hidden superpower for good.

Q: “Small talk isn't my thing; is there anything else I can do to inform others?”

A: Absolutely! There's more than one way to make your voice heard. If you're more introverted, consider taking on a more artistic and supportive role. Posters, documentation, article organization, and liking/commenting on/sharing information through social or digital domains can all be effective.

Q: “How do I talk to someone who's pro data center?”

A: Through an educational lens. The purpose of talking to others with this viewpoint isn't to provoke or shame, but to educate and offer support on a need-by-need basis. There are many reasons why someone might see a data center as a positive addition to the community. Many are either under-informed by design or seeking benefits from a data center that can be directed elsewhere when properly addressed.

Q: “Where can I find specific groups for this?”

A: Advocacy against data centers is still a new and ongoing topic, and this petition will be updated with more solid information, dates, times, and locations of organization/discussion as we move forward. As of now, there's a Facebook group for current updates and discussions for Buffalo, WV, against AI data centers that can be found here. https://www.facebook.com/groups/25871960042503813/?ref=share&mibextid=NSMWBT