QTS

A nonprofit data center advocacy group, the Data Center Coalition, has launched ad campaigns in multiple states including Oregon, Ohio, and North Carolina to counter criticism of data centers' resource demands and promote their economic benefits. The campaigns, funded by state-specific groups like Oregon Connects, emphasize investments in clean energy and job creation by tech companies such as Microsoft, Google, and Meta.

The Data Center Coalition, an industry group backed by large tech companies, launched ad campaigns through state-specific nonprofits in Oregon, Virginia, and five other states to counter criticisms of data centers. These campaigns highlight investments in clean energy and job creation while addressing concerns about resource use and tax incentives.

Amazon Web Services faces a lawsuit alleging it made false and misleading claims about water use and sustainability in Northern Virginia datacenters. The plaintiff, Dr. Nathan Wangusi, a former AWS water sustainability program manager, used FOIA requests to obtain data showing discrepancies between AWS's public water consumption figures and internal records. The lawsuit criticizes AWS for not disclosing methodology, comparison periods, or inclusion of third-party colocation facilities in its sustainability claims.

Georgia utility regulators approved an investigation into whether industrial energy consumers, including data centers, are shifting costs to residential customers. The probe, part of a May agreement adjusting cost-passing rules, examines a pricing structure that could raise residential electricity costs by 11% monthly by 2028. Environmental advocates supported the move, while Georgia Power opposed expanding the investigation's scope.

The AI boom is driving a surge in data center construction across the US, with permits for 176 new facilities in 2025 alone. These hyperscale data centers, including projects by Amazon, Microsoft, and QTS, could consume up to 358.8 terawatt-hours annually by 2025, exceeding the electricity use of most US states. Local communities and officials are raising concerns about environmental and economic impacts, particularly in rural areas.

QTS is developing a data center complex in Fayetteville, Georgia, which will consume electricity equivalent to about a million US households. The project is backed by Blackstone and is expected to put a strain on local utility infrastructure. Georgia Power is working to build the necessary infrastructure to meet the increased demand.

Blackstone’s QTS is seeking $2 billion from banks to secure AI power infrastructure. The company, known for its data centers, aims to expand its capabilities in supporting artificial intelligence technologies.