AI, Data Centers, and Growing Resource Demands

Led by: Maria Effertz , Deborah Stine & Kate Wright

As governments, utilities, and technology companies expand AI infrastructure, questions are emerging about electricity demand, water use, land use, emissions, transmission capacity, and community impacts. This session examines what is driving AI-related resource demand, what remains uncertain, and how public officials can evaluate competing claims about economic development, sustainability, affordability, and reliability.

By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to:

Identify the key drivers of AI-related electricity, water, land, and infrastructure demands.
Evaluate competing claims about the economic, environmental, affordability, and reliability impacts of AI infrastructure.
Assess the tradeoffs public officials should consider when planning for data center growth and its impacts on communities.