Data Centers Strain Local Resources, Prompting Calls for Oversight

Reports highlight the significant electricity and water demands of proliferating data centers, leading to moratorium requests in some regions

Published on Feb. 18, 2026

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Data centers are drawing increased scrutiny for their substantial demands on local resources, particularly water and electricity, according to reports released this week. Concerns are mounting in multiple regions as the facilities proliferate, prompting calls for greater oversight and, in some cases, temporary halts to further development.

Why it matters

The rising energy and water needs of data centers are straining local infrastructure and resources, leading to concerns about the sustainability of current practices. The expansion of data centers is driven by the increasing reliance on cloud computing and digital services, but the benefits of these technologies are now being weighed against the environmental and economic costs associated with powering and cooling the massive server farms.

The details

A recent report by the Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service highlighted the growing impact of data centers in the Great Lakes region, specifically pointing to Columbus, Ohio, as poised to become the second-largest data center hub in the area. The study details the significant strain these facilities place on infrastructure and resources, with the electricity consumption of larger data centers rivaling that of entire cities. In South Carolina, a moratorium on new data center construction is being advocated for until adequate protections are in place, with concerns about the sustainability of current practices, particularly the demand for water for cooling purposes.

  • The Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service report was released this week.
  • The SC Daily Gazette reported on the call for a moratorium in South Carolina.

The players

Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service

A research center at the University of Virginia that studies public policy issues, including the impact of data centers on local communities.

SC Daily Gazette

A news publication covering South Carolina.

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What’s next

No immediate response has been issued by South Carolina state officials regarding the moratorium request.

The takeaway

The rapid growth of data centers is outpacing the ability of local communities to adequately plan for and mitigate the associated impacts on resources and infrastructure, leading to increased calls for greater oversight and regulation to ensure the sustainability of these facilities.