Inside a California data center as communities raise concerns about energy costs amid the AI boom
Inside a California Data Center: Energy Concerns Rise with AI Boom
Bizeconanalysis.com – Behind a secure door in an unassuming Irvine office building, rows of servers quietly power hospital systems, financial institutions and emergency communications. While the activity inside one of DataBank’s Southern California facilities remains largely invisible to the public, inside a California data center as communities raise concerns about energy costs, the debate is intensifying. California is home to roughly 300 data centers, part of the digital infrastructure that supports online banking, video conferencing, cloud computing and artificial intelligence.
Powering the Digital Economy
During a CBS California Investigates tour of DataBank’s Irvine facility, a company executive highlighted the technology that keeps the operation running around the clock. Inside, the constant hum of power equipment filled rooms maintained at approximately 60 degrees to prevent servers from overheating. “This is an uninterruptible power system,” said Tom Kordic, vice president of operations for DataBank’s West region. “It’s essentially running off commercial power.”
The Irvine facility contains three data halls where customers lease space for their own equipment. Clients include hospitals, financial institutions and public safety agencies such as 911 call centers. “They bring in their own equipment,” Kordic said. “We provide them the real estate, then the power.” To ensure uninterrupted service, the facility also relies on large backup generators that activate during power outages.
Community Pushback and Regulatory Response
Those generators have become a source of concern in some communities because of potential noise and air pollution. Sarah T. Roberts, director of UCLA’s Center for Critical Internet Inquiry, said data centers have become an essential component of the technology industry but warned they also consume enormous amounts of electricity.
“I’d call data centers a necessary part of the big tech ecosystem,” Roberts said. “If we think that big tech is a major economic engine for the state of California, then data centers are a necessity to fuel that portion of the economy.”
Still, Roberts said the facilities require substantial energy resources that are often generated using fossil fuels. “Massive amounts of electricity are needed to run these centers,” Roberts said. “These are all resources that have to be shared by the larger community.” She added that some residents worry that expanding data center infrastructure could increase utility costs for consumers while diverting resources away from other needs.
DataBank Chief Operating Officer Joe Minarik, who previously led Amazon’s data center operations, said the facilities have become indispensable to modern life. “This call over Zoom runs through a data center,” Minarik said. “Your banking runs through a data center. Payment transactions at a grocery store run through a data center.” DataBank operates about 70 data centers nationwide and is building another facility in Vernon.
AI’s Growing Footprint
Minarik said he believes some opposition stems from concerns about the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence. “People are scared of AI,” he said. “They associate data centers with AI. They figure if they stop data centers, they can stop AI.” “It’s like saying ‘I don’t like Tesla, so let’s shut down all the roads,’ he added.
Public skepticism remains widespread. According to a recent Redfin survey, 53% of Americans oppose building data centers in their neighborhoods, while 34% support the projects. Roberts said demand for data centers is likely to continue growing unless society reconsiders its dependence on emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence. “I think we have to take a few steps back and actually question the logic that says that we can’t do without these things,” she said.
FAQ: Inside a California Data Center
How much energy do data centers consume?
Data centers require massive amounts of electricity to operate servers, cooling systems and backup generators. Many facilities maintain temperatures around 60 degrees Fahrenheit to prevent equipment overheating, which adds to their energy footprint.
What is California doing to regulate data centers?
California lawmakers are considering several bills aimed at regulating the industry, including legislation intended to shield utility customers from increased electricity costs and address potential environmental impacts associated with the industry’s continued expansion.
Why are communities concerned about new data centers?
Residents worry about increased utility costs, noise from backup generators, air pollution, and the perception that resources are being unfairly diverted to data centers rather than other community needs.
How does AI impact data center growth?
Artificial intelligence is driving increased demand for computing power, leading to rapid expansion of data center infrastructure. Some community opposition stems from concerns about AI’s growing energy requirements.