Three AI Data Center Concerns With Erin Brockovich Leading The Charge

The same environmental activist who took on Pacific Gas & Electric is now training her sights on artificial intelligence. Erin Brockovich is mapping the rapid rise of AI data centers and flagging three critical risks around water, energy, and local impact that she says every community must understand before the next wave of construction begins.

Brockovich, who became a household name after exposing contaminated groundwater in Hinkley, California, has turned her attention to AI data centers—facilities that house thousands of servers powering everything from ChatGPT to autonomous vehicles. In a new analysis shared with Forbes, she outlines how these centers are proliferating across the United States and abroad, often without adequate environmental review or community input.

The first concern is water. Data centers generate massive heat and require vast amounts of water for cooling. A single large facility can consume up to 3–5 million gallons of water per day, equivalent to the daily water use of a small city. In drought-prone regions like the American Southwest, this strain on local water supplies is already sparking conflicts. Brockovich warns that without strict regulation, AI data center water usage could worsen existing shortages and drive up costs for residents.

The second risk is energy demand. AI workloads are incredibly compute-intensive, and the International Energy Agency estimates that global data center electricity consumption could double by 2026, accounting for up to 4% of total worldwide electricity use. In the U.S., that figure could reach 9% by 2030. This surge threatens to undermine climate goals if data centers rely on fossil fuels for backup power and peak demand. Brockovich urges policymakers to mandate renewable energy sourcing and grid transparency.

The third and perhaps most overlooked risk is local impact on communities. Data centers are often placed in rural or low-income areas where land is cheap and zoning laws are lax. Residents report noise from backup generators, light pollution, and truck traffic during construction. More concerning, the facilities may depress property values and create health hazards if cooling systems release chemicals or contaminated water. Brockovich calls for community-benefit agreements and independent environmental impact assessments before permits are granted.

Environmental groups and tech watchdog organizations have echoed these concerns. The Center for Digital Democracy and Public Citizen have both released reports urging the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to consider the broader consequences of data center buildouts. Meanwhile, some tech giants like Google and Microsoft have pledged to become water-positive and run on 24/7 carbon-free energy, but critics argue that voluntary commitments lack enforcement mechanisms.

Looking ahead, the debate over AI data center impacts is poised to intensify. Several states including Arizona, Virginia, and Oregon have introduced bills to require environmental reviews for new facilities. Brockovich plans to release a public database mapping existing and proposed data centers to help communities organize. She wants every town to ask the same question: 'Is this data center truly necessary, and at what cost to our water, air, and quality of life?' The answer could shape not only the future of AI but also the landscape of American communities for decades to come.