DeKalb residents call data center zoning ‘environmental racism’

At a heated DeKalb County Commission meeting, Rev. Keyanna Jones Moore used a viral TikTok clip to label a proposed data‑center expansion as “environmental racism.” Moore warned that the project would deplete water resources, increase energy prices, and impose disproportionate burdens on a community that already feels sidelined by local officials.

Data centers are the backbone of today’s digital economy, powering cloud storage, streaming services and artificial‑intelligence workloads. While proponents tout their role in modernizing the economy, opponents point to their massive electricity and water demands. In DeKalb, residents fear that the new facility would strain the grid, raise utility bills and threaten local water supplies – a classic example of how essential infrastructure can become a source of environmental inequity.

Moore’s comments echo broader national concerns. In Louisiana, a parish council recently rezoned 1,400 acres of farmland near the historic Black community of Romeville for heavy industry, prompting accusations of discriminatory land‑use practices. Both cases illustrate a pattern: marginalized neighborhoods often bear the brunt of polluting or resource‑intensive projects while receiving few of the economic benefits.

Supporters of the DeKalb data center argue that it will create jobs and attract tech investment. Yet critics highlight that the promised economic gains rarely reach the affected residents, who instead confront higher utility costs and potential health risks. The clash in DeKalb thus raises a critical question: who decides where the digital infrastructure is sited, and how can policymakers ensure that the burdens and benefits are shared equitably?

Community members have rallied on social media, with many echoing Moore’s stance and urging county officials to reconsider the zoning plan. The debate underscores the need for transparent, inclusive decision‑making that weighs both economic development and environmental justice. As data‑driven technologies continue to expand, the conversation in DeKalb may serve as a model for other locales grappling with similar dilemmas.