Foley & Lardner LLP partner Daniel Farris was quoted in the Infralogic article, “Data center investors change tack to navigate storm of opposition,” examining how the industry is adapting to growing challenges across the United States.
Farris addressed concerns about water use, noting that data centers consume relatively modest amounts compared with other water-intensive industries.
On power costs and AI-driven demand, he said, “It’s hard to have conversations about almost anything these days that don’t involve AI. A lot of the explosive growth in the data center industry is to support AI, so it gets painted with the same brush.”
Farris also noted that developers are increasingly looking to brownfield industrial sites with existing zoning, power, and water infrastructure, where data centers can bring “new economic opportunity and investment” to communities.
He cautioned, “I think you’re going to see some investment shift away from data centers, and public opposition will be a factor.” Farris added, “I don’t know that it’ll be dispositive any more than concerns about the amount of investment some of these infrastructure funds or private equity firms already have in this space.”
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