Environmental Law Institute analysis: water was cited as the primary concern in 40%+ of contested data center projects. 25 projects canceled in 2025 alone. Communities pushing back against industrial water consumption that competes with residential supply.
The read Glen’s take, in his words
I want to share something with you that's moving fast. Twenty-five data center projects got canceled in 2025 alone. And in forty percent of the fights that killed them, the reason was water. Think about what that's saying. Communities across North America are now willing to stop tech infrastructure that competes with residential water supplies. They're not waiting on regulation. They're organizing. This Environmental Law Institute analysis is the moment someone finally documented it — the story moving from academic concern to political conflict. The places being asked to host these facilities are the same places running dry. I wanted you to see this, because I think it's going to shape where we can live, what gets built, and how much freshwater we have left to drink. Thanks for taking this in. Now, spread the word.
Watch Glen’s take
