Bernie Sanders Urges Resistance Against Billionaires Over Zuckerberg's Louisiana Data Center's Massive Energy Consumption, Equivalent to 3X New Orleans

On Wednesday, Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) increased his criticism of Big Techs environmental impact, specifically targeting Metas (formerly Facebook) upcoming data center in Louisiana. Sanders claimed the facility, which is being built by Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, will consume three times more electricity than the entire city of New Orleans. According to Sanders, this surge in energy demand will be paid for by ordinary citizens, not the billionaires behind the project.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Sanders voiced his concerns about the explosive growth of AI-driven data centers and their potential to overwhelm the countrys power infrastructure. He emphasized that the public would bear the financial burden, paying higher energy bills as a result of these mega-facilities.

"Billionaires want YOU to fund these data centers through increased water and electricity bills. It's time to fight back against the billionaires who prioritize profit over the well-being of the people," Sanders wrote.

Sanders also highlighted additional large-scale projects, including one reportedly associated with OpenAI and Oracle in Texas. He warned that the energy demands from such facilities could be staggering, with one facility alone consuming enough electricity to power 750,000 homes. Another Meta site in Texas could match the electricity usage of 1.2 million households.

Meta has not responded to requests for comment regarding Sanders' statements.

Local Communities Push Back Against Large Data Centers

In some areas, local communities have started pushing back against the construction of massive data centers due to concerns about rising utility costs, water usage, and the impact on property values. Sanders previously praised residents in St. Charles, Missouri, who successfully opposed a 440-acre data center development.

The Growing Demand for Power from AI and Data Centers

Sanders comments come amid growing concerns from energy experts about the rising demand for electricity from data centers, particularly those driven by AI and high-performance computing. A report from McKinsey & Co. revealed that data centers currently account for 5% of total electricity consumption in the U.S., and that figure could more than double within five years.

According to McKinsey, global spending on data center infrastructure is projected to reach nearly $7 trillion by 2030, with the U.S. accounting for more than 40% of that investment. The report also predicts that 40% of future power demand growth will be driven by AI, cloud computing, and other data-intensive technologies supported by major players like Amazon, Microsoft, and Google.

Sources:

• Bernie Sanders Says Mark Zuckerberg's Louisiana Data Center Will Use 3X More Electricity Than All Of New Orleans: 'Fight Back Against Billionaires'

Author: Grace Ellison
Grace Ellison is a journalist focusing on environmental issues and sustainability. She has experience publishing international reports and participating in documentary projects.