Data centers are changing America's landscape, report says

September 29, 2026 / 5:51 PM EDT / CBS News

Data centers are changing America's landscape, report says

TL;DR

  • Hundreds of hyperscale data centers are being built across the U.S. to power the AI boom.
  • Many of these facilities are being constructed on land previously used for farming, desert, shrubland, or forest.
  • Data centers have a high demand for electricity, with some companies building independent power grids.
  • Public opposition to data center development is rising due to concerns about impacts on local water and power supplies.
  • Advocacy groups have disrupted numerous planned data center projects, and over 30 states are enacting legislation or taking action to address these issues.