Tell Missouri legislators: It's time to regulate data centers

Missouri is experiencing an unprecedented influx of hyperscale data centers driven by AI. Data centers use massive amounts of energy – one 100 MW data center uses as much energy as 16,400 homes! This deepens our state’s dependence on fossil fuels, worsening climate change and harming health. Often, Missourians have to pay for the cost of constructing new fossil fuel power plants for these data centers. Data centers emit huge amounts of waste heat, noise pollution, and pollution from diesel generators. You can learn more about the impacts of data centers and our policy recommendations here: https://moenvironment.org/our-work/emerging-issues/data-centers/Follow this email template to send your local Missouri representative and senator a message telling them to regulate AI data centers in MO!

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Dear (name and title inserted automatically),

The rapid proliferation of AI-driven hyperscale data centers has created an unprecedented risk in our state. I’m writing to ask you to support statewide regulations on data centers this upcoming legislative session.

AI data centers can consume over 5 million gallons of water per day (1), siphoning water resources away from communities. Data centers contaminate water with PFAS chemicals (2) and concentrate existing contaminants in their water used for cooling (3). They emit harmful levels of noise pollution and heat (4). Nationwide, data centers are expected to increase healthcare costs by $5.6 billion (5). One large data center can use over 100 MW of electricity, or the equivalent of 16,400 homes. Missourians are already facing rising utility costs for the construction of new methane gas power plants to power these new data centers. Without legislation to expand renewable energy generation in association with data centers, these energy intensive facilities will deepen our reliance on fossil fuels, contributing to local emissions, health issues, and climate change.

7 in 10 Americans oppose the local construction of data centers because they understand the incredible risks associated with their operation (6). We need statewide regulations for hyperscale data centers now. Please support legislation with provisions addressing the following:

- A ban on data centers on sensitive ecological lands, and all conservation areas. 
- Mandated publicly disclosed environmental impact assessments and mitigation plans, including information on water use, electricity use, noise levels, heat island effects, and e-waste recycling
- Require the most effective water-conserving cooling technology available, such as closed-loop systems
Meet electricity needs with 100% clean, renewable sources
- Implement strict limits on the testing and use of backup diesel generators
- Require advance community approval for all data center building, and allow community members to co-create a community benefits agreement. This should include a green infrastructure fund to offset any environmental harm brought by data centers. 
- Ban the use of NDAs to conceal information about data center development from the public, and mandate public disclosure of data centers’ purpose.
- Ensure residential customers are protected from all rate increases associated with data centers.

We urgently need regulations to protect Missourians from the harmful effects of data centers, please support legislation to regulate them now.

Sources: 
(1) Yañez-Barnuevo, Miguel. “Data Centers and Water Consumption,” Environmental and Energy Study Institute, June 25, 2025.
(2) Hardin, Andie May. “Data Centers are Contributing to PFAS Forever Chemical Pollution,” Environmental and Energy Study Institute, April 9, 2026 https://www.eesi.org/articles/view/data-centers-are-contributing-to-pfas-forever-chemical-pollution 
(3) Cooper, Sean Patrick. “How Oregon’s Data Center Boom Is Supercharging a Water Crisis,” Rolling Stone, November 24, 2025. https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-features/data-center-water-pollution-amazon-oregon-1235466613/
(4) American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. “Loud Noise Dangers.” ASHA – Hearing & Balance. Accessed September 15, 2025.
(5)Han et al. “The Unpaid Toll: Quantifying the Public Health Impact of AI,” Cornell University arixiv, December, 2024.
(6) Gallup. “Americans Oppose AI Data Centers in Their Area” May 13, 2026 https://news.gallup.com/poll/709772/americans-oppose-data-centers-area.aspx

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