Chungnam environmental groups urge halt to AI data center expansion

Environmental groups in Chungcheongnam-do, South Korea, are calling for a halt to the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence (AI) data centers in the region. Groups including the Chungnam Environmental Movement Federation held a press conference urging local governments in cities such as Cheonan, Dangjin, Hongseong, and Boryeong to reconsider these investments.

Activists warn that approximately seven proposed data centers, totaling 620MW, could lead to severe environmental consequences, including massive electricity consumption, water resource depletion, and the heat island effect. They argue that the economic benefits, specifically regarding job creation, are minimal compared to the potential strain on local agriculture and water supplies, particularly in rice-farming areas like Dangjin.

The groups have pointed to opposition movements in the United States as a precedent, noting that data centers have become a significant political issue there due to their impact on water, electricity, and noise levels. They are demanding thorough feasibility studies regarding renewable energy capacity and ecological limits before further development proceeds.