Data center environmental impact in the Carolinas: electricity, water, and emissions concerns

Data centers are expanding rapidly across the Carolinas, driven by AI demand. They already use 4.4% of U.S. electricity, and projections suggest that could hit 10% by 2030. Researchers warn this growth could increase fossil fuel use and reverse progress on carbon emissions, even as Duke Energy targets net zero by 2050 with nuclear, solar, and battery storage. The article also covers water and heat concerns. Liquid cooling systems can draw heavily from rivers like the Catawba, potentially affecting other users. Waste heat from servers may raise local temperatures in nearby neighborhoods. On the economic side, utility rate requests tied to data center growth are rising, with $9.4 billion in requests filed in early 2026 alone. Duke Energy says it has no current rate request linked to data centers, but the trend is clear.