{"id":277682,"date":"2025-10-24T10:52:56","date_gmt":"2025-10-24T14:52:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/?post_type=short-read&#038;p=277682"},"modified":"2025-10-24T10:56:06","modified_gmt":"2025-10-24T14:56:06","slug":"what-we-know-about-energy-use-at-us-data-centers-amid-the-ai-boom","status":"publish","type":"short-read","link":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/short-reads\/2025\/10\/24\/what-we-know-about-energy-use-at-us-data-centers-amid-the-ai-boom\/","title":{"rendered":"What we know about energy use at U.S. data centers amid the AI boom"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-640-wide\"><img data-dominant-color=\"6f6a5f\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #6f6a5f;\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" height=\"360\" width=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/10\/SR_25.10.24_data-center_feature.jpg?w=640\" alt=\"An Amazon Web Services data center is shown near a neighborhood in Stone Ridge, Virginia, in 2024. Northern Virginia is the top data center market in the U.S. (Nathan Howard\/Getty Images)\" class=\"wp-image-277734 not-transparent\" srcset=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/10\/SR_25.10.24_data-center_feature.jpg 1280w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/10\/SR_25.10.24_data-center_feature.jpg?resize=300,169 300w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/10\/SR_25.10.24_data-center_feature.jpg?resize=768,432 768w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/10\/SR_25.10.24_data-center_feature.jpg?resize=1024,576 1024w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/10\/SR_25.10.24_data-center_feature.jpg?resize=720,405 720w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/10\/SR_25.10.24_data-center_feature.jpg?resize=200,113 200w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/10\/SR_25.10.24_data-center_feature.jpg?resize=260,146 260w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/10\/SR_25.10.24_data-center_feature.jpg?resize=310,174 310w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/10\/SR_25.10.24_data-center_feature.jpg?resize=420,236 420w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/10\/SR_25.10.24_data-center_feature.jpg?resize=640,360 640w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/10\/SR_25.10.24_data-center_feature.jpg?resize=740,416 740w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/10\/SR_25.10.24_data-center_feature.jpg?resize=160,90 160w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/10\/SR_25.10.24_data-center_feature.jpg?resize=320,180 320w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/10\/SR_25.10.24_data-center_feature.jpg?resize=540,304 540w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/10\/SR_25.10.24_data-center_feature.jpg?resize=564,317 564w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/10\/SR_25.10.24_data-center_feature.jpg?resize=1128,634 1128w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/10\/SR_25.10.24_data-center_feature.jpg?resize=690,388 690w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/10\/SR_25.10.24_data-center_feature.jpg?resize=268,151 268w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/10\/SR_25.10.24_data-center_feature.jpg?resize=536,302 536w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/10\/SR_25.10.24_data-center_feature.jpg?resize=194,110 194w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/10\/SR_25.10.24_data-center_feature.jpg?resize=148,84 148w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/10\/SR_25.10.24_data-center_feature.jpg?resize=296,168 296w\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">An Amazon Web Services data center is shown near a neighborhood in Stone Ridge, Virginia, in 2024. Northern Virginia is the top data center market in the U.S. (Nathan Howard\/Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Artificial intelligence has developed rapidly in recent years, with tech companies <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonpost.com\/technology\/2025\/08\/04\/big-tech-ai-spending-economy\/?_pml=1\">investing billions of dollars<\/a> in data centers to help train and run AI models. The expansion of data centers has raised questions on several fronts, including the effect these facilities may have on energy and the environment as the United States seeks an edge in the global AI race.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In this analysis, we\u2019ll take a closer look at data centers and what we know about their potential impact in these areas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>This analysis explores the following questions:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li style=\"padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\"><a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/short-reads\/2025\/10\/24\/what-we-know-about-energy-use-at-us-data-centers-amid-the-ai-boom\/#what-s-a-data-center\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline\">What\u2019s a data center?<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li style=\"padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\"><a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/short-reads\/2025\/10\/24\/what-we-know-about-energy-use-at-us-data-centers-amid-the-ai-boom\/#how-many-data-centers-are-in-the-u-s-and-where-are-they\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline\">How many data centers are in the U.S., and where are they?<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li style=\"padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\"><a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/short-reads\/2025\/10\/24\/what-we-know-about-energy-use-at-us-data-centers-amid-the-ai-boom\/#why-are-states-competing-for-data-centers\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline\">Why are states competing for data centers?<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li style=\"padding-right:0;padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\"><a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/short-reads\/2025\/10\/24\/what-we-know-about-energy-use-at-us-data-centers-amid-the-ai-boom\/#how-much-energy-do-data-centers-use\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline\">How much energy do data centers use?<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li style=\"padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\"><a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/short-reads\/2025\/10\/24\/what-we-know-about-energy-use-at-us-data-centers-amid-the-ai-boom\/#what-is-energy-used-for-at-data-centers\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline\">What is energy used for at U.S. data centers?<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li style=\"padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\"><a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/short-reads\/2025\/10\/24\/what-we-know-about-energy-use-at-us-data-centers-amid-the-ai-boom\/#what-are-the-main-energy-sources-for-data-centers\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline\">What are the main energy sources for data centers?<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li style=\"padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\"><a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/short-reads\/2025\/10\/24\/what-we-know-about-energy-use-at-us-data-centers-amid-the-ai-boom\/#how-could-data-centers-affect-americans-electricity-bills\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline\">How could data centers affect Americans\u2019 electricity bills?<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"text-decoration: underline\"><a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/short-reads\/2025\/10\/24\/what-we-know-about-energy-use-at-us-data-centers-amid-the-ai-boom\/#what-do-americans-think-about-ai-s-potential-impact-on-the-environment\">What do Americans think about AI\u2019s potential impact on the environment?<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<details class=\"wp-block-details is-style-plus-icon has-border-color has-ui-gray-light-border-color has-ui-beige-very-light-background-color has-background has-sans-serif-font-family is-layout-flow wp-container-core-details-is-layout-61b01db2 wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\" style=\"border-width:1px;padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);font-size:clamp(0.875em, 0.875rem + ((1vw - 0.2em) * 0.009), 0.88em);\"><summary>How we did this<\/summary>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">With the rapid development of data centers in the United States, Pew Research Center conducted this study to learn more about energy use at these facilities and its potential impact on Americans. The Center has studied Americans\u2019 attitudes toward and engagement with <a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/topic\/internet-technology\/emerging-technology\/artificial-intelligence\/\">artificial intelligence<\/a>, as well as their views on <a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/topic\/science\/science-issues\/climate-energy-environment\/energy\/\">energy issues<\/a>, for more than a decade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This analysis is primarily based on data from the \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.iea.org\/reports\/energy-and-ai\">Energy and AI<\/a>\u201d report published by the International Energy Agency (IEA) in April 2025. Projected estimates on energy use at data centers are based on the IEA\u2019s more conservative \u201cbase case\u201d scenario, which assumes current industry forecasts and regulatory conditions persist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Data on the number and location of U.S. data centers comes from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.datacentermap.com\/usa\/\">Data Center Map<\/a>, an industry database designed to connect service providers and buyers. Counts are current as of Oct. 20, 2025, and include data centers that are planned, under development or currently operational. The database was created in 2007 and is based on information submitted voluntarily by operators, as well as other resources. Read more about the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.datacentermap.com\/research\/data\/?filters=country:USA\">Data Center Map methodology<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Information on the change in U.S. households\u2019 average monthly electricity costs comes from the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.eia.gov\/electricity\/sales_revenue_price\/\">U.S. Energy Information Administration<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This analysis also draws on news articles, industry briefings and a Center survey of 5,410 U.S. adults conducted Aug. 12-18, 2024. Here are the <a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/03\/pi_2025.04.03_us-public-and-ai-experts_questionnaire.pdf\">questions used for that survey<\/a>, the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/03\/pi_2025.04.03_us-public-and-ai-experts_topline.pdf\">topline<\/a>&nbsp;and the <a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/2025\/04\/03\/us-public-and-ai-experts-methodology\/\">survey&nbsp;methodology<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"what-s-a-data-center\">What\u2019s a data center?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Data centers are large buildings that house rows of computer servers, data storage systems and networking equipment, as well as the power and cooling systems that keep them running. This infrastructure is essential for companies that provide digital services. Whenever you send an email, stream your favorite TV show, save a family photo to \u201cthe cloud\u201d or ask a chatbot a question, you\u2019re interacting with a data center.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">While data centers have been <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.enconnex.com\/data-center-history-and-evolution\">around for decades<\/a>, they\u2019ve quickly expanded in recent years to support <a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/short-reads\/2025\/06\/25\/34-of-us-adults-have-used-chatgpt-about-double-the-share-in-2023\/\">increasingly popular<\/a> generative AI models.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There are different broad types of data centers. Some common ones include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li style=\"padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\"><strong>Hyperscale data centers<\/strong>, which are warehouse-sized facilities that store advanced servers capable of handling massive processing workloads. They began growing in popularity with the advent of cloud computing services and cryptocurrency mining and are rapidly expanding amid the AI boom<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li style=\"padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\"><strong>Enterprise data centers<\/strong>, which are owned and operated by businesses for their private data storage and computing needs<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Colocation data centers<\/strong> and<strong> service providers<\/strong>, which rent their facilities to individual businesses<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Hyperscale facilities typically host at least 5,000 servers, but many contain far more<em> <\/em>and have footprints measuring tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of square feet \u2013 with the largest hitting 1 million-plus. By comparison, the average data center usually has 2,000 to 5,000 servers. Smaller ones hold about 500 to 2,000.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"how-many-data-centers-are-in-the-u-s-and-where-are-they\">How many data centers are in the U.S., and where are they?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There is no federal registration requirement for data centers, so their estimated number varies depending on the source. Some owners of data centers also obscure their locations for security reasons and\/or competitive advantage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">One of the oldest and most comprehensive industry databases is <a href=\"https:\/\/www.datacentermap.com\/usa\/\">Data Center Map<\/a>, which estimates that the U.S. has over 4,000 data centers, including operational sites and those under development. A third of U.S. data centers are in just three states: Virginia (643), Texas (395) and California (319).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Some of the nation\u2019s key data center hubs are in northern Virginia, Dallas, Chicago and Phoenix. It\u2019s likely they\u2019ll retain their leading status: Half of the data centers currently being built in the U.S. are part of preexisting large clusters, according to an <a href=\"https:\/\/www.iea.org\/reports\/energy-and-ai\">April report<\/a> from the International Energy Agency (IEA).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-640-wide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/?attachment_id=277732\"><img data-dominant-color=\"eff0ee\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #eff0ee;\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" height=\"534\" width=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/10\/SR_25.10.24_data-center_1.png?w=640\" alt=\"A map of the U.S. showing that Virginia, Texas and California lead in number of data centers.\" class=\"wp-image-277732 not-transparent\" srcset=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/10\/SR_25.10.24_data-center_1.png 1280w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/10\/SR_25.10.24_data-center_1.png?resize=300,250 300w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/10\/SR_25.10.24_data-center_1.png?resize=768,641 768w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/10\/SR_25.10.24_data-center_1.png?resize=1024,854 1024w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/10\/SR_25.10.24_data-center_1.png?resize=485,405 485w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/10\/SR_25.10.24_data-center_1.png?resize=200,167 200w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/10\/SR_25.10.24_data-center_1.png?resize=260,217 260w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/10\/SR_25.10.24_data-center_1.png?resize=310,259 310w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/10\/SR_25.10.24_data-center_1.png?resize=420,350 420w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/10\/SR_25.10.24_data-center_1.png?resize=640,534 640w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/10\/SR_25.10.24_data-center_1.png?resize=740,617 740w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/10\/SR_25.10.24_data-center_1.png?resize=160,134 160w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/10\/SR_25.10.24_data-center_1.png?resize=320,267 320w\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Companies choose data center locations based on a variety of factors, including the availability of capable power utilities, properly zoned land, and high-quality network access. This makes previously developed hubs ideal for further investment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"why-are-states-competing-for-data-centers\"><a><\/a><a><\/a>Why are states competing for data centers?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/big-tech-data-centers-artificial-intelligence-states-a9a856cad1c12eda8fe63e44c9cbe4e8\">Many states<\/a> are offering <a href=\"https:\/\/www.naiop.org\/research-and-publications\/magazine\/2024\/Winter-2024-2025\/development-ownership\/an-overview-of-state-data-center-related-tax-incentives\/\">financial incentives<\/a> and expedited permitting to attract new data centers. They\u2019ve done so in pursuit of the construction jobs, local tax revenue and future business opportunities that data centers can offer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The federal government also has identified data center development as a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.whitehouse.gov\/presidential-actions\/2025\/07\/accelerating-federal-permitting-of-data-center-infrastructure\/\">national priority<\/a>, committing land and funds to support their growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">More broadly, supporters see data centers as worthwhile to spur <a href=\"https:\/\/www.fastcompany.com\/91301630\/how-data-centers-are-transforming-local-communities\">local<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2025\/08\/27\/business\/economy\/ai-investment-economic-growth.html\">national economic growth<\/a> and ensure <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cmu.edu\/work-that-matters\/energy-innovation\/ai-and-national-security-harden-grid-win-race\">national security<\/a> amid the global AI race. Some also see opportunities for AI to <a href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/climate-artificial-intelligence-efficiency-buildings-evs-7a58879c9ce1b93bd5d6553f900cdf3c\">help solve environmental problems<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/sites\/sachinjain\/2025\/10\/21\/ai-adoption-in-healthcare-is-surging-what-a-new-report-reveals\/\">improve the health care industry<\/a>, among other benefits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"how-much-energy-do-data-centers-use\">How much energy do data centers use?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Total annual U.S. electricity consumption hit a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.eia.gov\/todayinenergy\/detail.php?id=65264\">record high in 2024<\/a>, and that ceiling could rise if data centers continue expanding at their current pace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignright size-640-wide is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/?attachment_id=277733\"><img data-dominant-color=\"f2f3f2\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"620\" height=\"1044\" src=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/10\/SR_25.10.24_data-center_2.png?w=620\" alt=\"A line chart showing that electricity consumption at U.S. data centers is expected to more than double by 2030.\" class=\"wp-image-277733 not-transparent\" style=\"--dominant-color: #f2f3f2; width:310px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/10\/SR_25.10.24_data-center_2.png 620w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/10\/SR_25.10.24_data-center_2.png?resize=178,300 178w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/10\/SR_25.10.24_data-center_2.png?resize=608,1024 608w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/10\/SR_25.10.24_data-center_2.png?resize=241,405 241w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/10\/SR_25.10.24_data-center_2.png?resize=200,337 200w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/10\/SR_25.10.24_data-center_2.png?resize=260,438 260w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/10\/SR_25.10.24_data-center_2.png?resize=310,522 310w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/10\/SR_25.10.24_data-center_2.png?resize=420,707 420w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/10\/SR_25.10.24_data-center_2.png?resize=160,269 160w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/10\/SR_25.10.24_data-center_2.png?resize=320,539 320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 620px) 100vw, 620px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">U.S. data centers consumed 183 terawatt-hours (TWh) of electricity in 2024, according to IEA estimates. That works out to more than 4% of the country\u2019s total electricity consumption last year \u2013 and is roughly equivalent to the <a href=\"https:\/\/ember-energy.org\/data\/electricity-data-explorer\/?data=demand&amp;fuel=total&amp;chart=single_year&amp;entity=Pakistan\">annual electricity demand<\/a> of the entire nation of Pakistan. By 2030, this figure is projected to grow by 133% to 426 TWh.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Because data centers handle many types of workloads, it\u2019s difficult to distinguish the exact share of their total electricity demand that comes from AI alone. But a typical AI-focused hyperscaler annually consumes <a href=\"https:\/\/www.iea.org\/reports\/energy-and-ai\/executive-summary\">as much electricity<\/a> as 100,000 households. The larger ones currently under construction are expected to use 20 times as much, the IEA predicts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Since data centers are often geographically concentrated, they can <a href=\"https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/technology\/big-techs-data-center-boom-poses-new-risk-us-grid-operators-2025-03-19\/\">significantly strain the power grids<\/a>. In 2023, data centers consumed about 26% of the total electricity supply in Virginia and significant shares of the supply in North Dakota (15%), Nebraska (12%), Iowa (11%) and Oregon (11%), <a href=\"https:\/\/www.epri.com\/research\/products\/3002028905\">according to the Electric Power Research Institute<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"what-is-energy-used-for-at-data-centers\"><a><\/a>What is energy used for at data centers?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Most of the electricity used by data centers \u2013 about 60% on average, the IEA reports \u2013 powers the servers that process and store digital information. This is especially true at AI-optimized hyperscale data centers, whose advanced servers are equipped with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ibm.com\/think\/topics\/gpu\">powerful computer chips<\/a> that can perform trillions of mathematical calculations per second. These chips <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/interactive\/2025\/03\/16\/technology\/ai-data-centers.html\">consume much more energy<\/a> than their traditional counterparts, requiring two to four times as many watts to run.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The next-largest component of energy use at data centers are the cooling systems that prevent servers from overheating. This share ranges from about 7% at efficient hyperscalers to over 30% at less efficient enterprise facilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">These cooling systems often require a large amount of water, though some types use more than others. In 2023, the country\u2019s data centers directly consumed about 17 billion gallons of water \u2013 with hyperscale and colocation facilities using the lion\u2019s share (84%) \u2013 according to estimates in a <a href=\"https:\/\/eta-publications.lbl.gov\/sites\/default\/files\/2024-12\/lbnl-2024-united-states-data-center-energy-usage-report.pdf?utm_source=substack&amp;utm_medium=email\">2024 Berkeley Lab report<\/a> commissioned by the U.S. Department of Energy. Hyperscale data centers alone are expected to consume between 16 billion and 33 billion gallons of water annually by 2028. (These figures exclude water consumed indirectly, such as in the process of electricity generation or semiconductor manufacturing.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"what-are-the-main-energy-sources-for-data-centers\">What are the main energy sources for data centers?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As of 2024, natural gas supplied over 40% of electricity for U.S. data centers, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.iea.org\/reports\/energy-and-ai\/energy-supply-for-ai\">according to the IEA<\/a>. Renewables such as wind and solar supplied about 24% of electricity at data centers, while nuclear power supplied around 20% and coal around 15%.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Natural gas is projected to continue supplying the largest share of energy at data centers through 2030, but nuclear power could eventually play a larger role. Several <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2024\/10\/16\/business\/energy-environment\/amazon-google-microsoft-nuclear-energy.html\">tech companies<\/a> have recently <a href=\"https:\/\/www.engadget.com\/big-tech\/google-announces-first-nuclear-site-to-power-its-data-centers-162627123.html?guccounter=1\">announced purchasing agreements<\/a> with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/business\/energy\/helion-energy-starts-construction-nuclear-fusion-plant-power-microsoft-data-2025-07-30\/\">nuclear power startups<\/a>. Plans are also in the works to revive two retired nuclear power plants \u2013 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.npr.org\/2024\/09\/20\/nx-s1-5120581\/three-mile-island-nuclear-power-plant-microsoft-ai\">Three Mile Island<\/a> in Pennsylvania and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cnbc.com\/2025\/09\/01\/nuclear-duane-arnold-nextera-nee-tech-data-center-ai.html\">Duane Arnold<\/a> in Iowa \u2013 to meet growing energy demand from data centers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><em>Related: <\/em><\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/short-reads\/2025\/10\/16\/support-for-expanding-nuclear-power-is-up-in-both-parties-since-2020\/\"><em>Support for expanding nuclear power is up in both parties since 2020<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Several states \u2013 including <a href=\"https:\/\/calmatters.org\/economy\/technology\/2025\/02\/data-center-crackdown-to-protect-california-electricity-rates\/\">California<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.govtech.com\/policy\/illinois-mulls-energy-policy-updates-to-address-data-centers\">Illinois<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.house.mn.gov\/sessiondaily\/Story\/18838\">Minnesota<\/a>, <a href=\"http:\/\/newjerseymonitor.com\/2025\/10\/20\/governor-data-centers-veto\/\">New Jersey<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/virginiamercury.com\/2025\/01\/14\/as-data-center-boom-continues-va-legislators-broach-new-regulations\/\">Virginia<\/a> \u2013 have weighed bills requiring or incentivizing data centers to draw some of their power from renewable energy sources and to report their <a href=\"https:\/\/www.asce.org\/publications-and-news\/civil-engineering-source\/civil-engineering-magazine\/issues\/magazine-issue\/article\/2024\/03\/engineers-often-need-a-lot-of-water-to-keep-data-centers-cool\">electricity and water usage<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"how-could-data-centers-affect-americans-electricity-bills\">How could data centers affect Americans\u2019 electricity bills?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.utilitydive.com\/news\/texas-law-gives-grid-operator-power-to-disconnect-data-centers-during-crisi\/751587\/\">Lawmakers<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/sustainability\/boards-policy-regulation\/google-agrees-curb-power-use-ai-data-centers-ease-strain-us-grid-when-demand-2025-08-04\/\">utility companies<\/a> have faced pressure in some states to <a href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/electricity-prices-data-centers-artificial-intelligence-fbf213a915fb574a4f3e5baaa7041c3a\">protect residents<\/a> from <a href=\"https:\/\/cardinalnews.org\/2025\/04\/11\/energy-demand-will-outstrip-supply-in-virginia-as-data-centers-proliferate\/\">blackouts<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.statesmanjournal.com\/story\/news\/politics\/2025\/06\/09\/oregon-legislature-passes-bill-allowing-power-companies-to-charge-data-centers-more\/84073668007\/\">higher electricity bills<\/a> as U.S. data centers expand their footprint.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Utilities often must make expensive upgrades to power grids so they can handle increased energy demands from new data centers. Smaller businesses and U.S. households often shoulder these costs unless ratepayer protections are put in place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For example, in the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ferc.gov\/industries-data\/electric\/electric-power-markets\/pjm\">PJM electricity market<\/a> stretching from Illinois to North Carolina, data centers accounted for an estimated <a href=\"https:\/\/ieefa.org\/resources\/projected-data-center-growth-spurs-pjm-capacity-prices-factor-10\">$9.3 billion price increase<\/a> in the 2025-26 \u201ccapacity market\u201d (i.e., the total amount of electricity that providers in the region commit to supplying).&nbsp;As a result, the average residential bill is expected to rise by $18 a month in western Maryland&nbsp;and $16 a month in Ohio.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignright size-640-wide is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/?attachment_id=277731\"><img data-dominant-color=\"f5f6f7\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 420px) 100vw, 420px\" height=\"567\" width=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/10\/SR_25.10.24_data-center_3.png?w=640\" alt=\"A line chart showing that U.S. households' electricity costs have risen somewhat in the past decade.\" class=\"wp-image-277731 not-transparent\" style=\"--dominant-color: #f5f6f7; width:420px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/10\/SR_25.10.24_data-center_3.png 840w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/10\/SR_25.10.24_data-center_3.png?resize=300,266 300w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/10\/SR_25.10.24_data-center_3.png?resize=768,680 768w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/10\/SR_25.10.24_data-center_3.png?resize=457,405 457w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/10\/SR_25.10.24_data-center_3.png?resize=200,177 200w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/10\/SR_25.10.24_data-center_3.png?resize=260,230 260w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/10\/SR_25.10.24_data-center_3.png?resize=310,275 310w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/10\/SR_25.10.24_data-center_3.png?resize=420,372 420w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/10\/SR_25.10.24_data-center_3.png?resize=640,567 640w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/10\/SR_25.10.24_data-center_3.png?resize=740,655 740w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/10\/SR_25.10.24_data-center_3.png?resize=160,142 160w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/10\/SR_25.10.24_data-center_3.png?resize=320,283 320w\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Americans may see more widespread price hikes in coming years. One study <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cmu.edu\/work-that-matters\/energy-innovation\/data-center-growth-could-increase-electricity-bills\">from Carnegie Mellon University<\/a> estimates that data centers and cryptocurrency mining could lead to an 8% increase in the average U.S. electricity bill by 2030, potentially exceeding 25% in the highest-demand markets of central and northern Virginia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Nationally, electricity rates have already risen for consumers in recent years, in part because utility companies have been replacing aging equipment to safeguard against <a href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/us-news\/fires-pg-e-corp-california-wildfires-utilities-6d98d85bc44f35b5d23abe9605341363\">extreme weather events<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wired.com\/story\/youre-not-ready-for-a-grid-attack\/\">cyberattacks<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For example, the typical U.S. household was billed $142 per month for electricity in 2024, according to data <a href=\"https:\/\/www.eia.gov\/electricity\/sales_revenue_price\/\">from the U.S. Energy Information Administration<\/a>. That\u2019s up 25% from $114 per month in 2014.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"what-do-americans-think-about-ai-s-potential-impact-on-the-environment\">What do Americans think about AI\u2019s potential impact on the environment?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Pew Research Center has not surveyed Americans about the potential effects of data centers specifically. But when asked about the broader environmental impact that AI might have over the next 20 years, the public appears divided in its predictions, according to an <a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/internet\/2025\/04\/03\/public-and-expert-predictions-for-ais-next-20-years\/#54edc5d111491d6d1a53423d28f9ccdc\">August 2024 Center survey<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignright size-640-wide is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/?attachment_id=277730\"><img data-dominant-color=\"e6e9e8\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 420px) 100vw, 420px\" height=\"433\" width=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/10\/SR_25.10.24_data-center_4.png?w=640\" alt=\"A bar chart showing that Americans don't have clear expectations for Al's future impact on the environment.\" class=\"wp-image-277730 not-transparent\" style=\"--dominant-color: #e6e9e8; width:420px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/10\/SR_25.10.24_data-center_4.png 840w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/10\/SR_25.10.24_data-center_4.png?resize=300,203 300w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/10\/SR_25.10.24_data-center_4.png?resize=768,519 768w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/10\/SR_25.10.24_data-center_4.png?resize=599,405 599w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/10\/SR_25.10.24_data-center_4.png?resize=200,135 200w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/10\/SR_25.10.24_data-center_4.png?resize=260,176 260w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/10\/SR_25.10.24_data-center_4.png?resize=310,210 310w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/10\/SR_25.10.24_data-center_4.png?resize=420,284 420w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/10\/SR_25.10.24_data-center_4.png?resize=640,433 640w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/10\/SR_25.10.24_data-center_4.png?resize=740,500 740w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/10\/SR_25.10.24_data-center_4.png?resize=160,108 160w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/10\/SR_25.10.24_data-center_4.png?resize=320,216 320w\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A quarter of U.S. adults think AI will have a negative impact on the environment, while an identical share say it will have an equally positive and negative impact. Another 20% foresee a positive impact, while 30% aren\u2019t sure.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Data centers accounted for 4% of total U.S. electricity use in 2024. Their energy demand is expected to more than double by 2030.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":658,"featured_media":277734,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_crdt_document":"","sub_headline":"","sub_title":"","_prc_public_revisions":[],"_ppp_expiration_hours":0,"_ppp_enabled":false,"ai_generated_summary":"","apple_news_api_created_at":"2025-10-24T14:53:10Z","apple_news_api_id":"f48f431b-b75d-46a8-a3f0-4af4ee4bb335","apple_news_api_modified_at":"2025-10-24T14:53:10Z","apple_news_api_revision":"AAAAAAAAAAD\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/w==","apple_news_api_share_url":"https:\/\/apple.news\/A9I9DG7ddRqij8Er07kuzNQ","apple_news_cover_media_provider":"image","apple_news_coverimage":0,"apple_news_coverimage_caption":"","apple_news_cover_video_id":0,"apple_news_cover_video_url":"","apple_news_cover_embedwebvideo_url":"","apple_news_is_hidden":"","apple_news_is_paid":"","apple_news_is_preview":"","apple_news_is_sponsored":"","apple_news_maturity_rating":"","apple_news_metadata":"\"\"","apple_news_pullquote":"","apple_news_pullquote_position":"","apple_news_slug":"","apple_news_sections":[],"apple_news_suppress_video_url":false,"apple_news_use_image_component":false,"relatedPosts":[{"key":"_gy6fnbium","link":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/science\/2025\/09\/17\/how-americans-view-ai-and-its-impact-on-people-and-society\/","postId":274569,"title":"How Americans View AI and Its Impact on People and Society","date":"2025-09-17 09:57:24","label":"How Americans View AI and Its Impact on People and Society"},{"key":"_iu11p96j8","link":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/short-reads\/2024\/03\/26\/many-americans-think-generative-ai-programs-should-credit-the-sources-they-rely-on\/","postId":7777,"title":"Many Americans think generative AI programs should credit the sources they rely on","date":"2024-03-26 11:57:00","label":"Many Americans think generative AI programs should credit the sources they rely on"},{"key":"_545ep6di6","link":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/short-reads\/2023\/08\/28\/most-americans-havent-used-chatgpt-few-think-it-will-have-a-major-impact-on-their-job\/","postId":7863,"title":"Most Americans haven\u2019t used ChatGPT; few think it will have a major impact on their job","date":"2023-08-28 12:51:58","label":"Most Americans haven\u2019t used ChatGPT; few think it will have a major impact on their job"},{"key":"_jxdj7lqmp","link":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/social-trends\/2023\/07\/26\/which-u-s-workers-are-more-exposed-to-ai-on-their-jobs\/","postId":38523,"title":"Which U.S. Workers Are More Exposed to AI on Their Jobs?","date":"2023-07-26 13:57:44","label":"Which U.S. Workers Are More Exposed to AI on Their Jobs?"},{"key":"_lklnlyzkq","link":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/internet\/2023\/06\/21\/as-ai-spreads-experts-predict-the-best-and-worst-changes-in-digital-life-by-2035\/","postId":92584,"title":"As AI Spreads, Experts Predict the Best and Worst Changes in Digital Life by 2035","date":"2023-06-21 10:57:26","label":"As AI Spreads, Experts Predict the Best and Worst Changes in Digital Life by 2035"}],"_prc_fork_parent":0,"_prc_fork_status":"","_prc_active_fork":0,"datacite_doi":"","datacite_doi_citation":"","_prc_seo_qr_attachment_id":0,"spoken_article_player_enabled":true,"footnotes":""},"categories":[299,264,297],"bylines":[652],"collection":[],"datasets":[],"_post_visibility":[],"formats":[467],"_fund_pool":[],"languages":[],"regions-countries":[515],"research-teams":[],"class_list":["post-277682","short-read","type-short-read","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-artificial-intelligence","category-climate-energy-environment","category-emerging-technology","bylines-rebecca-leppert","formats-short-read","regions-countries-united-states"],"label":"Short Read","post_parent":0,"word_count":1836,"canonical_url":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/short-reads\/2025\/10\/24\/what-we-know-about-energy-use-at-us-data-centers-amid-the-ai-boom\/","art_direction":{"A2":{"id":277734,"rawUrl":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/10\/SR_25.10.24_data-center_feature.jpg","url":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2025\/10\/SR_25.10.24_data-center_feature.jpg?w=268&h=151&crop=1","width":268,"height":151,"caption":"An Amazon Web Services data center is shown near a neighborhood in Stone Ridge, Virginia, in 2024. 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