The True Cost of the AI Revolution: Data Centers' Impact on Rural Communities
- Platocom
- May 1
- 5 min read
The U.S. is projected to invest over $1 trillion in data centers in the coming years.
The demand for data centers is surging. Between 2023 and 2024, the number of megawatts of storage under construction in primary markets—including Texas, California, and Virginia—more than doubled.
Data centers serve as the backbone of the digital economy, powering everything from cloud computing to artificial intelligence to our emails. While this rapid development reflects our growing dependence on digital technologies, it also comes with significant hidden costs—particularly for rural communities.
In January, we wrote about Atlanta (GA) resistance against the data center boom (link to blog here), and a lot has happened since then. The new Facebook/Meta's mega data (2 million square feet/50 acres) center in rural Georgia is so massive that it could cover a significant portion of Manhattan, and its impact on the surrounding community tells a sobering story about the true cost of the AI revolution.
The Hidden Costs of Digital Infrastructure
Between 2023 and 2024, the number of megawatts of storage under construction in primary markets—including Texas, California, and Virginia—more than doubled. Projections suggest data centers’ energy consumption could increase from 4% to as much as 12% of total U.S. electricity usage by 2028. But behind these statistics lie real human stories.
Projections suggest data centers’ energy consumption could increase from 4% to as much as 12% of total U.S. electricity usage by 2028. But behind these statistics lie real human stories - and an energy grid stretched to its limit.
Why Georgia, You Wonder
The two biggest reasons data centers come to the Peach State are that the electricity rate for industrial use in the is 40% below the national average, and the massive tax breaks Georgia gives to data center operators.
Georgia Farmers Fighting for Their Way of Life
In rural Georgia, we find the fastest data center growth in the country. Neighbors of are facing nonstop noise, pollution and rapidly rising electricity bills.
Beverly and Jeff Morris bought their home in Mansfield, Georgia, in 2016, seeking a peaceful countryside escape just an hour from downtown Atlanta. For them, this piece of land represented more than just a home—it was their sanctuary and a foundation for their farming livelihood. "When we found this place, we decided that this was it. It was perfect," Beverly Morris explains in an interview with Ben Lieberman. However, their rural paradise was disrupted when Meta began construction of a data center in 2018, just 400 yards from their property. The impacts have been devastating.
Beverly Morris explains that they’ve had to save up water just to flush their toilet, highlighting the severity of living next door to a Meta data center.
When Meta Built Their AI Data Center Next Door: The Morris Family’s Story
🚰 Water Quality Crisis
Severe contamination of their water wells
Visible sediment in their household water supply (replaced two washing machines and water boilers)
Compromised water quality affecting both daily use and farming operations
🌳 Environmental Destruction
Widespread clearing of pine forests
Disruption of local ecosystems
Irreversible changes to the landscape
💡 Light and Noise Pollution
Intense light pollution, making night lights in their house unnecessary
Constant operational noise
Disruption of natural day-night cycles
Without oversight, the financial and environmental burden unfairly falls on the very communities these enormous data centers are supposed to benefit.
The Scale of the Problem
Meta's facility in Mansfield spans 2 million square feet (50 acres) and has brought with it staggering resource demands:
Electricity consumption increased by 34%, reaching 14,975,435 MWh in 2023
Water usage up to 200 million gallons annually
Significant strain on local, rurla infrastructure, which was never designed to accommodate big industry
While Meta claims to prioritize sustainability, the reality on the ground tells a different story.
Who Should Pay for the AI Revolution?
In reference to Meta's new data center in Mansfield, GA, consumer advocate Patty Durand raises a critical question in the More Perfect Union documentary:
Search the internet for the profits Meta, Amazon, and Microsoft have made—they can afford to pay for their own generation.
Her point highlights a fundamental issue: Who bears the burden of the AI-driven digital boom? Is it fair for rural communities, like Mansfield, to shoulder the environmental, social, and financial costs of infrastructure built to support the profits of tech giants? Families like the Morris family not only face water contamination and environmental degradation but also contend with increased energy bills as local utilities struggle to meet the demands of massive data centers. Not to mention repacing water boilers, washing machines and low water pressure.
Large tech companies, which generate substantial profits, should be held financially responsible for covering the infrastructure and energy costs associated with their data centers. At the same time, local politicians and economic development authorities (EDAs) have a duty to act as advocates for their communities. It is their responsibility to set clear conditions and demand accountability from corporations when industries seek to establish operations in their areas. Without this oversight, the financial and environmental burden unfairly falls on the very communities these projects are supposed to benefit.
Balancing Innovation with Responsibility
At Platocom, we recognize that reversing the data center boom is not an option. Data centers are a necessity of our digital-first economy. But as the world moves forward, we must advocate for responsible development that prioritizes the well-being of the communities impacted by this expansion. We see this where we live in Virginia, which is why the documentary moved us to write this blog. Communities like Mansfield should not have to suffer the consequences of unchecked growth. The Morris family’s story is a stark reminder of what’s at stake—water contamination, environmental degradation, and the erosion of a rural way of life. Tech companies and politicians must be held accountable for the infrastructure they create. They should adopt practices that balance innovation with sustainability and community well-being.
Looking Forward: The Need for Responsible Development
Meta has touted several sustainability initiatives for its data centers, including:
Net zero emissions goals
100% renewable energy usage
Dry-cooling technology to minimize water usage
However, the reality on the ground in Mansfield suggests these measures are insufficient. As we embrace technological advancement, we must ask ourselves:
Who truly bears the cost of our digital infrastructure?
How can we ensure a fair distribution of benefits and burdens?
What role should tech companies play in protecting local communities?
Should local residents pay more for electricity/utility because a data center moves next door?
A Final Thought
The AI revolution is here to stay, but it’s up to all of us to ensure that its growth is equitable and sustainable.For more insights on the intersection of technology and community impact, subscribe to our blog and follow us on social media. Together, we can promote responsible innovation that benefits everyone.
This story was developed following Dan Lieberman's investigation for More Perfect Union into the impact of data centers on rural Georgia communities. His work explores the critical question: "What’s the true cost of the AI revolution, and who should be paying for it?"
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