As technology companies invest trillions into new data centers amid the global AI surge, communities across the U.S., including St. Louis, are facing significant debates. In St. Louis, a large abandoned warehouse site has become a focal point for contention. David Daneshforooz, CEO of TerraWatt, aims to transform this site into a data center.

Daneshforooz stated, “St. Louis has many old, underused infrastructures that can be revitalized by data centers if developed responsibly.” Despite these promises, many locals remain unconvinced. A recent Gallup poll shows that over 70% of Americans oppose having data centers in their vicinity.

Concerns include environmental impacts, as highlighted by Kasey Fowler-Finn, a biologist at Saint Louis University. She is involved in a lawsuit to stop the project, citing worries about noise, water, and electricity consumption. “There’s been no environmental impact assessment and no low-frequency sound study,” she explained. Fowler-Finn emphasized the threat by noting, “A lot of claims lack supporting data, and there’s minimal transparency regarding environmental and noise effects.”

“The AI aspect is driven by fear of the unknown,” Daneshforooz remarked.

Fowler-Finn counters this, saying, “This concern isn’t unfounded. It relies on scientific evidence. We should approach the placement of large data centers with caution.” Daneshforooz warns that excluding data centers from the U.S. might risk data security. “Where will that data be stored? In the U.S. where we have control, or in a country beyond our regulation?” he questioned.

Developers reassure that electricity will be self-funded, a closed water system will be used, and significant investments will be made into local schools. This approach has been successful in other cities but not in St. Louis as of now.