Elyria-Swansea Braces for ‘Digital Smog’ from New Data Center

A new data center is under construction in north Denver’s Elyria-Swansea neighborhood, raising significant concerns among residents and environmental advocates. Already grappling with heavy industry and highway pollution, the community fears this facility could introduce a new form of air contamination dubbed “digital smog.”

A Neighborhood Already Under Pressure

For residents like Julie Mote, living in Elyria-Swansea means contending with a daily reality of poor air quality. The area, home to a largely Latino population, is surrounded by major highways and industrial sites, including an oil refinery and a dog food factory, leading to persistent odors and health concerns.

Mote, who lives in an affordable housing complex, often finds herself unable to open her windows due to the pervasive stench. The impending CoreSite data center, located directly across the street from her apartment, is seen as yet another burden on a community already struggling with environmental injustices.

The Hidden Pollution of the AI Boom

Data centers are rapidly proliferating nationwide, fueled by the demand for Artificial Intelligence (AI). While these facilities are often perceived as clean, modern buildings, their environmental footprint extends beyond their massive electricity and water consumption.

According to Shaolei Ren, an associate professor of computer engineering at the University of California, data centers contribute to air pollution in two primary ways:

• Increased Power Plant Emissions: Connecting data centers to the electrical grid often necessitates additional generation from fossil fuel power plants, leading to increased climate-warming emissions and pollutants like particulate matter.
• Backup Diesel Generators: These facilities house powerful diesel generators to ensure uninterrupted 24/7 operations. When activated during blackouts or for testing, these generators release exhaust containing nitrogen dioxide, particulate matter, and other harmful substances into the surrounding area.

“Digital Smog”: A Growing Health Threat

Ren’s research forecasts a grim future, estimating that by 2028, AI-driven air pollution – “digital smog” – could lead to new cases of asthma and cancer. This public health crisis could impose an additional cost of up to $20 billion annually on the U.S. healthcare system.

The solution, Ren suggests, is straightforward: strategically locate AI data centers away from densely populated urban areas to significantly reduce their health impact.

Why Location Matters in Elyria-Swansea

Despite the warnings, the new CoreSite data center is being built in close proximity to vulnerable populations in Elyria-Swansea. It sits less than a block from Mote’s affordable housing complex, a low-income health clinic, and a future senior living facility. A city rec center and park are also nearby.

CoreSite spokesperson Megan Ruszkowski states the company chose the location due to existing industrial zoning and its proximity to two other Denver data centers, which helps reduce lag times for AI customers. However, this rationale does not alleviate community concerns.

Community Demands Accountability and Transparency

Ana Varela, a local community activist and Elyria-Swansea resident, expresses frustration over the lack of proper community engagement before construction began. With the first phase of the data center set to operate by mid-2026, residents feel their voices were not heard.

While CoreSite insists its facility will not significantly impact local air quality, citing permits that limit backup generator use to blackouts or short daytime tests, Varela is pushing for more. She argues that if CoreSite is confident in its claims, it should install air monitors to provide real-time data on emissions to the community.

This transparency, Varela believes, would not only protect Elyria-Swansea residents but also provide valuable lessons for other communities facing similar developments.

Elyria-Swansea’s Air Quality: Sources and Potential Impacts

Frequently Asked Questions About Data Centers & Air Quality

• What is “digital smog”?
  Digital smog refers to the air pollution generated indirectly by data centers, primarily through increased emissions from power plants supplying their vast electricity needs and direct emissions from backup diesel generators.
• Why are data centers a concern for air quality?
  Despite appearing clean, data centers require immense amounts of electricity, often sourced from fossil fuel plants, increasing overall emissions. They also rely on large diesel generators for backup power, which release harmful pollutants like nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter when active.
• Where is the CoreSite data center being built?
  The CoreSite data center is under construction in north Denver’s Elyria-Swansea neighborhood, across the street from an affordable housing complex and near other vulnerable community facilities.
• What are Elyria-Swansea residents asking for?
  Residents, represented by activists like Ana Varela, are asking for CoreSite to install air monitors at the facility to transparently track and report the types of toxins and emissions being released, ensuring community safety and accountability.

As the AI boom continues to reshape our digital landscape, communities like Elyria-Swansea highlight the critical need for transparent oversight and proactive measures to protect public health from unforeseen environmental consequences. Staying informed and advocating for air quality monitoring are essential steps for Denver residents.

Elyria-Swansea braces for data center digital smog