Data Centers 101

What a hyperscale data center actually does to a community’s power bills, water, and tax base — in plain language.

Energy Costs

Hyperscale data centers can draw more electricity than entire cities.

Hyperscale data centers can draw more electricity than entire cities — costs that can land on residential ratepayers if the rules aren't written carefully.

Water Usage

Cooling one facility can consume hundreds of millions of gallons a year.

Cooling a single hyperscale facility can consume hundreds of millions of gallons annually, competing with farms and small towns for the same aquifers.

Tax Giveaways

Exemptions shift the cost of public services onto local taxpayers.

Sales-tax exemptions and reinvestment payments shift the cost of public services from corporate developers onto local taxpayers.