Duke University’s plan to build a new data center in drought-stricken Durham, North Carolina, is drawing pushback from faculty and local advocates who say the project could conflict with the school’s climate commitments.
While the proposed facility is small compared to the massive data centers operated by major tech companies, critics argue that its energy and water demands are still significant — especially if it serves as the first of several similar projects.
What’s happening?
Duke plans to build a $23 million data center on 12 acres of university-owned land on Central Campus near Yearby Avenue, Inside Climate News reported.
The facility is expected to begin at 1.5 megawatts and could eventually expand to 3 megawatts, with construction scheduled to be completed next year…