AI Data centers have begun sprouting up everywhere across America, causing profound effects on the communities that surround them. The Shreveport-Bossier area is no stranger to these facilities, with 3 Amazon data centers currently under construction. Many locals have a lot to say about the facilities and their place in Northwest Louisiana. 

“There's not enough data out there to actually really tell us what the consequences are for pulling all of that water out of our lake system," said local resident Kelly when asked about the potential water usage of a data center. "Because the trees out here have a knee system, that's their root system. If they don't have enough water around them, then the cypress trees could die.”

With data centers so closely affecting everyday people, it is important to stay informed. Recently, environmental activist Erin Brockovich has created a website that gathers and displays information about the impact that data centers are having, www.brockovichdatacenter.com [3]. As a paralegal known for her work on anti-pollution lawsuits, Brochovich was a key figure in building a case against Pacific Gas & Electric Company in 1993 for causing groundwater contamination in Hinkley, California. Her work against the corporation resulted in a guilty verdict and $333 million settlement. This case later be adapted into a movie in the year 2000. Now, she says that she has made her new website to "give people a voice" and spread awareness about the concerns regarding data centers.

On the website, you can find a map of community-reported data centers showing over 2700 reports. The site also features news articles regarding centers around the country, demonstrating the bigger picture of the impact that these centers have. Stories are categorized, allowing users to quickly see whether the story is about a moratorium being passed, voter wins, or when lawsuits are brought in to protect communities.

When it can often seem like the government is solely concerned about expansion, even at the expense of people, activists like Erin Brockovich continue to provide resources to remind you that you have a voice.