停建！230多个环保组织集体施压，“美国AI产业再遭打击”

Core Viewpoint - The AI industry is facing increasing resistance due to its high energy consumption and contribution to climate change, prompting over 230 environmental organizations to call for a nationwide halt on new data center constructions in the U.S. [1] Group 1: Environmental Concerns - A coalition of over 230 environmental organizations, including Greenpeace and Friends of the Earth, is urging the U.S. Congress to stop the expansion of high-energy data centers, citing their role in rising emissions and water consumption [1] - The rapid growth of data centers, driven by AI and cryptocurrency demands, is seen as a threat to community welfare and environmental sustainability [1][2] - The environmental movement is leveraging rising living costs, particularly electricity bills, as a new point of attack against the current administration's policies [6] Group 2: Political Implications - Local opposition to data centers has evolved into a significant political force, influencing recent Democratic victories in gubernatorial elections in Virginia and New Jersey, with candidates focusing on lowering electricity costs and limiting data center expansions [4] - The rising electricity costs, attributed to data centers, have become a central issue in elections across states like New Jersey, Georgia, and Virginia, indicating a shift in the political landscape towards energy affordability [5] Group 3: Economic Impact - At least 16 data center projects, valued at $64 billion, have been delayed or shelved due to local opposition over rising electricity costs [2] - Approximately 80 million Americans are struggling with rising electricity and gas bills, with many attributing this to the rapid growth of data centers [5] - The electricity consumption of data centers is projected to triple over the next decade, potentially meeting the power needs of 190 million new households, which raises concerns among politicians across the spectrum [5] Group 4: Infrastructure Challenges - The aging power grid and slow construction of transmission lines are major bottlenecks for electricity supply, exacerbating the challenges faced by the tech industry and the broader economy [6][7] - Two data centers developed by Digital Realty and Stack Infrastructure have remained vacant for years due to local power supply issues, highlighting the significant challenges in the tech sector [7] - BloombergNEF predicts that AI computing power demand in the U.S. could more than double by 2035, indicating a critical need for investment in new AI infrastructure [7]