# AI Data Centers Threaten Wildlife Habitats

> Data centers in the US threaten wildlife habitats, waterways and green spaces as AI boom accelerates.
- Title: AI Data Centers Threaten Wildlife Habitats · Newsweek
- Summary: Data centers in the US threaten wildlife habitats, waterways and green spaces as AI boom accelerates. US data centers risk harming wildlife habitats…
- Keywords: ai data centers, wildlife habitats, waterways, green spaces, public lands, data center development, environmental impact, endangered species, nashville crayfish, eastern box turtle, indiana bat, coho salmon
- Source: Newsweek — https://newsweek.com/ai-politics/ai-data-centers-impact-wildlife-green-spaces-12600471
- Published: 2026-10-27T17:25:57+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: ai data centers, wildlife habitats, waterways, green spaces, public lands, data center development, environmental impact, endangered species, nashville crayfish, eastern box turtle, indiana bat, coho salmon
## AI Boom Drives Data Center Surge
America's AI boom accelerates data center construction, raising environmental concerns for green spaces and wildlife habitats.
## Pennsylvania Golf Course Closure
Dauphin Highlands Golf Course closed after 30 years to become a $10 billion data center site by 2027.
## Debt-Driven Sale to Data Center Developer
Dauphin County sold the course for $45.6 million to repay $13 million in debt and generate tax revenue.
## Nevada Public Land Dispute
Environmental groups challenged federal approval of a data center near Boulder City, Nevada, in July 2026.
## Legal Victory for Environmental Groups
A federal appeals panel halted construction in September 2026 after finding challengers likely to succeed.
## Virginia Wildlife Concerns
Google's Virginia data center threatens eastern box turtles and Indiana bats with habitat loss and water issues.
## Turtles Face Water Scarcity
Eastern box turtles in Virginia require moist environments for survival and reproduction, which could be compromised by water loss.
## Bat Habitat Risks
Google's Virginia project may disturb Indiana bat maternity colonies with construction noise and habitat clearing.
## Tennessee Crayfish Protection
Nashville's proposed data center near the zoo risks endangered crayfish through stormwater runoff and noise.
## Public Opposition in Nashville
Over 600,000 people signed a petition to pause data center development near Nashville Zoo.
## Water Impact on Salmon
Oregon's Dog River supports endangered coho salmon and bull trout that rely on cold water.
## Water Diversion Risks
Diverting water for data centers could raise river temperatures and introduce pollutants affecting cold-water species.
## Environmental Law Changes
The Supreme Court narrowed federal wetlands protections in 2023, potentially increasing habitat loss risks.
## Data Center Water Use
Data centers require substantial electricity and water, creating pressure on drought-prone regions.
## Conservationist Warnings
Defenders of Wildlife warns data centers without wildlife considerations could cause habitat fragmentation.
## Data Center Development Timeline
Construction of data centers in Virginia and Tennessee faces environmental reviews and public opposition.
## Key takeaway

US data centers risk harming wildlife habitats, waterways and green spaces as AI demand grows.