This article was originally published on Crafting Your Home. A human contributor also wrote and edited the post.
Erin Brockovich became a household name by taking on one of America’s most powerful utility companies and helping residents fight against toxic contamination. Now, decades after the landmark Pacific Gas & Electric case, the environmental advocate is raising alarms about a new target: the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence data centers.
Brockovich, whose work investigating groundwater contamination in Hinkley, California, helped lead to a historic $333 million settlement with PG&E in 1996, says communities must pay closer attention to the environmental impact of massive technology infrastructure projects.
Her latest concerns center on the growing number of AI-powered data centers being built across the United States and around the world. These facilities require enormous amounts of electricity and water to operate, raising questions about energy demand, resource use and the pressure placed on nearby communities.
Brockovich’s message is familiar: when industries expand quickly, ordinary residents should not be left dealing with the consequences later.
From PG&E’s toxic contamination case to a new environmental battle
Brockovich first gained national attention in the 1990s after investigating claims that residents in Hinkley, California, had been exposed to chromium-6 contamination in groundwater linked to PG&E operations.
Working alongside attorney Ed Masry, Brockovich helped build a case that resulted in a $333 million settlement, one of the largest environmental contamination settlements in U.S. history at the time. The story later became the basis for the 2000 film Erin Brockovich, starring Julia Roberts.
The case made Brockovich a symbol of citizen-led environmental activism. Her approach has often focused on what she calls listening to communities that feel ignored by corporations and government agencies.
Now, she believes the rapid growth of artificial intelligence infrastructure deserves similar scrutiny.
AI systems require enormous computing power, and that computing power depends on large-scale data centers filled with thousands of computer servers. These facilities consume electricity around the clock and often require significant cooling systems to prevent equipment from overheating.
According to the International Energy Agency, data centers consumed around 460 terawatt-hours of electricity globally in 2022, and demand is expected to increase significantly as artificial intelligence adoption expands.
Why AI data centers are facing environmental questions
The debate surrounding AI data centers is not about whether artificial intelligence should exist. Instead, the discussion is increasingly focused on how the technology is built and who carries the environmental burden.
Many large data centers are located near communities where land, electricity, and water resources are available. Residents in some areas have raised concerns about increased energy demand, noise from cooling equipment and pressure on local infrastructure.
Water usage has also become a major topic. Some data centers use water-based cooling systems, and researchers have warned that AI development could increase water consumption in regions already facing shortages.
A 2023 study from researchers at the University of California, Riverside, estimated that AI models could require significant amounts of water for cooling and electricity generation, depending on where and how systems are operated.
Technology companies have responded by investing in renewable energy, more efficient cooling systems and strategies designed to reduce environmental impact.
Microsoft, Google and other major technology companies have announced sustainability goals aimed at reducing emissions and improving resource efficiency as their AI operations expand.
However, critics argue that transparency remains a major issue. They say communities need clearer information about how much power and water new facilities will use before projects are approved.
That is the type of concern Brockovich has built her reputation around: making sure communities have a voice before problems become impossible to ignore.
Brockovich’s warning: lessons from past environmental fights
Brockovich’s criticism comes at a moment when AI development is moving faster than many governments can regulate.
The United States is experiencing a major expansion of data center construction as companies compete to build the infrastructure needed for artificial intelligence tools. Industry leaders argue these facilities are essential for economic growth, scientific research, and technological innovation.
But environmental advocates say innovation cannot come at the expense of public health and natural resources.
Brockovich has repeatedly argued that communities should question powerful industries rather than assume growth automatically benefits everyone.
Her supporters see her latest campaign as another example of her willingness to challenge large organizations. Critics, however, argue that the environmental impact of AI infrastructure is more complex than previous industrial pollution cases because data centers also support technologies used across healthcare, education and business.
The challenge facing policymakers is finding a balance between encouraging technological progress and protecting communities from unintended consequences.
For Brockovich, the message remains consistent: pay attention before damage is done.
Her fight against PG&E began with residents who believed something was wrong with their environment. Today, she is urging people to ask similar questions about the infrastructure powering the AI revolution.
As artificial intelligence continues to reshape daily life, the debate over its environmental footprint is only beginning. The question now is whether companies, governments and communities can build the future without repeating mistakes from the past.
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