Living in Houston, Texas, I've noticed that data centers have been frequently featured in the news lately.

In English, they are referred to as DC, and in Korea, they are called 데센. Initially, I thought it was a good thing.

Billions of dollars are being invested, construction companies are getting work, and the local economy will likely thrive.

However, there are residents opposing the arrival of data centers, and some are worried about rising electricity bills.

In some areas, there are even heated discussions about potential water shortages for residents.

When I see such news, I become more curious about how these developments actually affect ordinary residents living in those neighborhoods rather than how much money corporations are making.

Are data centers truly facilities that boost the local economy?

Or are they massive electricity-consuming facilities that burden the residents?

How Much Do Residents Actually Oppose Them?

This is not just a concern raised by a few environmental groups.

About 63% of residents in the Houston area opposed having a data center within a mile of their homes.

Interestingly, 85% of those surveyed reported using AI.

This suggests that while they enjoy the convenience of AI, they do not want such facilities near their homes.

So, what exactly is the problem?

First, Are Data Centers Really Noisy?

Yes, they can be. However, not all data centers are equally noisy.

Data centers operate thousands of servers. To cool the heat generated by these servers, cooling systems and large fans are in operation.

The issue is that these machines do not stop running at night.

Especially near residential areas, continuous low-frequency noise can be a problem. There is also engine noise from testing emergency generators.

Of course, installing sound barriers and placing cooling units inside the building can significantly reduce noise. Ultimately, the size and design of the facility, as well as its distance from homes, are important factors.

Second, How Much Electricity Do They Use?

This is a valid concern for residents.

For example, let's assume a 100MW data center continuously uses an average of 100MW.

The daily electricity consumption would be 2.4 million kWh. In a month, that amounts to about 72 million kWh.

If we assume that an average American household uses 900 kWh per month, that is comparable to the electricity consumption of about 80,000 households.

Of course, not all data centers consume maximum power at all times. However, it is not an exaggeration to say that a large AI data center can use as much electricity as an entire city.

That said, the presence of a data center does not necessarily mean that residents' electricity bills will automatically increase.

The real issue is who will bear the costs of building new power plants and transmission facilities.

If companies do not adequately cover these costs, some of the expenses may be passed on to regular electricity consumers.

Third, Do They Use a Lot of Water?

The amount of water used by data centers varies significantly depending on the cooling method.

Evaporative cooling systems can consume a substantial amount of water, but there are also cooling systems designed to reduce water usage.

In Texas, for instance, the total water usage reported by 97 data centers in 2025 reached approximately 1.4 billion gallons.

However, this figure represents the total for the reported facilities and does not reflect the usage of all data centers in Texas.

Areas like Houston, which have relatively diverse water sources, face different challenges compared to the drought-prone western regions of Texas.

The important consideration is not just how much water data centers use, but where that water comes from and whether it competes with local residents' water supply.

Fourth, What Benefits Do Local Residents Receive?

There are certainly advantages.

During the construction phase, there will be significant job opportunities for electricians, plumbers, HVAC technicians, and construction companies. Once the facility is completed, there will also be a need for maintenance, security, and electrical management personnel.

Additionally, property taxes can provide revenue for local governments and school districts.

However, there is a catch.

Just because a data center is worth billions of dollars does not mean that thousands of people will be employed permanently. Due to automation, the number of permanent staff is relatively low once construction is finished.

Moreover, if local governments offer substantial property tax incentives to attract businesses, the actual tax revenue returned to residents may decrease.

While it is true that these facilities can benefit the local economy, a large investment does not necessarily equate to significant benefits for residents.

Why the Texas State Government is Involved

There is an incident that illustrates how serious the situation has become.

In September 2026, Texas Governor Greg Abbott ordered a halt to data center-related permits until an investigation into their impact on the power grid and water resources is completed.

He also stated that companies must bear the costs of power infrastructure and not infringe upon the water needed by residents.

This indicates that the data center issue has escalated beyond mere complaints from local residents.

Ultimately, Considering the Residents' Perspective

I believe there is no reason to oppose the construction of data centers outright.

If the U.S. wants to maintain its competitiveness in the AI industry, such facilities are necessary. We need to develop new technologies and attract investments.

However, just because companies are investing billions of dollars does not mean that local residents should automatically welcome them.

Residents have the right to live quietly in their homes where they have spent their lives. They also have the right to a stable supply of electricity and water.

If data centers lead to improved finances for local schools, reduced tax burdens for residents, and the creation of quality jobs, that would be a welcome development.

Conversely, if electricity bills rise, water usage increases, and noise becomes an issue, with little benefit to local residents, it is entirely understandable for them to oppose such developments.

What I consider most important is not how much a company announces it will invest in the community.

It is about how much benefit residents actually receive while the company operates without leaving.