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What does a search for “data center” reveal—and what can it miss? Eileen explains the types of facilities, reliability tiers, and AI's changing power and cooling needs. She compares a commercial market report with community accounts, and asks what evidence can tell us about a particular project. Next episode: water.
Show notes and sources
Data-center basics and examples:
IBM overview: https://www.ibm.com/think/topics/data-centers
IBM on hyperscale: https://www.ibm.com/think/topics/hyperscale-data-center
Walmart Area 71: https://clui.org/projects/networked-nation-landscape-internet-america/major-data-centers-and-internet-locations-94
Netflix public network locations: https://openconnect.netflix.com/en/peering/
Netflix colocation briefing (p. 21): https://openconnect.netflix.com/Open-Connect-Briefing-Paper.pdf#page=21
Google Iowa data centers: https://datacenters.google/locations/iowa/
Verizon/AWS edge example: https://aws.amazon.com/blogs/industries/verizon-and-aws-deliver-mobile-edge-computing-to-customers-in-boston-and-the-bay-area/
AWS on edge computing: https://aws.amazon.com/what-is/edge-computing/
Reliability tiers:
Uptime Institute: https://uptimeinstitute.com/tiers
Tier certification: https://uptimeinstitute.com/tier-certification
Local rules and infrastructure:
Charlotte: https://charlottenc.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?GUID=ED57FF56-0A4A-439E-A2AE-9C33EB762B5F&ID=8223237&Options=&Search=
Madison: https://madison.legistar.com/View.ashx?GUID=63DBC920-7BEE-4827-B7BA-87C62DBCB503&ID=15057897&M=F
Chandler: https://www.chandleraz.gov/news-center/chandlers-data-center-ordinance-now-effect
DOE infrastructure recommendations: https://www.energy.gov/sites/default/files/2024-08/Powering%20AI%20and%20Data%20Center%20Infrastructure%20Recommendations%20July%202024.pdf
America's AI Action Plan: https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Americas-AI-Action-Plan.pdf
Super Intelligence terminology order: https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2026/09/inaugurating-the-era-of-super-intelligence/
Official order PDF: https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/eo-14434.pdf
SI.gov (requested reference): https://si.gov/
Market and community perspectives:
CBRE H1 2026 data-center trends: https://www.cbre.com/insights/books/north-america-data-center-trends-h1-2026
The Brockovich Report: https://www.thebrockovichreport.com/about
Brockovich project map: https://brockovichdatacenter.com/
Map FAQ: https://brockovichdatacenter.com/faq.html
Katie Couric interview: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/next-question-with-katie-couric/id1134154895?i=1000778000853
Couric companion article: https://katiecouric.com/podcast/next-question/erin-brockovich-interview-dangers-of-ai-data-centers/
Brockovich background: https://www.brockovich.com/my-story/
Checking claims:
OpenAI's Data Center Bandwagon report: https://openai.com/index/disrupting-malicious-uses-of-ai-data-center-bandwagon/
OpenAI follow-up and reach qualification: https://openai.com/index/prc-linked-influence-operations-ai-debates/
Pew research and methods: https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2026/04/13/most-new-data-centers-in-the-us-are-coming-to-rural-areas/
You've Got Mail (1998): https://www.warnerbros.com/movies/youve-got-mail
The Brockovich map includes projects at different stages and community submissions; a map marker alone does not verify a project's effects. For a local proposal, look for planning applications and utility filings. For an operating facility, seek measurements. Netflix's public locations do not disclose individual leases.
