Do You Have Legal Recourse Against Data Centers?
With two prominent data centers slated for development in Arkansas, what does this mean for residents? Will you be impacted by the facility? Will you have any legal recourse?
What Are Data Centers Used For?
Every time you access the internet, there is a large network of computers on the other end “hosting” your connection. Data centers are large buildings designed to maintain these computers in optimal temperatures with efficient power, ensuring a smooth performance for users on the other end.
Dat centers have been around since the late 1940s, but with the rapid expansion of AI technology, data centers are struggling to upkeep the power demand and temperature control. The more computers being used, the hotter a data center can become, requiring anywhere from 300,000 to 5 million gallons of water daily.
The Potential Impact Data Centers Have On Residents
As more data centers pop up around the country, Americans have started to wonder how these structures can impact their local community. Unfortunately, for Georgia residents living near the Meta data center, life has changed drastically.
In 2025, the BBC interviewed local resident Beverly Morris about the data center and she believes the construction affected her private well, resulting in reduced pressure and murky, sediment water. Meta investigated Ms. Morris’ claims but found their construction did “not adversely affect groundwater conditions in the area.”
This problem continues to persist today, leaving some residents without clean drinking water. While the Environmental Protection Agency will be looking into these claims, they indicated this is not a formal investigation.
Two New Data Centers For Arkansas?
Recently, Pulaski County has been in the news for approving a yearlong break on new construction of data centers. However, there was one glaring fault residents found with the construction pause: the new AVAIO data center could continue building as planned.
The projected AVAIO data center in Pulaski County has residents upset about the economic impact construction will have on their quality of life. This new data center is projected by the Arkansas Advocate to be “one of the most power-intensive nationwide,” starting with 150 megawatts and possibly hitting 1 gigawatt of power.
Additionally, a Google data center is pending approval to build on wetlands in the Port of Little Rock. Local officials plan to discuss the plan and details further on June 2nd. Both of these data centers may have an impact on the homes, businesses, and other areas surroundings.
Find An Arkansas Attorney To Fight For You
A large scale operation like the production of a data center will surely impact residents living in the surrounding area. If you feel like your civil or property rights are being infringed upon, you’ll want a lawyer fighting by your side.
The attorney team at Hickey & Hull has seen clients with a variety of legal dilemmas, such as:
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Construction contracts
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Personal injury cases
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Property disputes
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Violation of civil rights
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Workers compensation
Whether you’re facing a property dispute with a proposed construction site or an injury due to someone else’s negligence, Hickey & Hull Law Offices is available to consult with you. Chat with our online agent to book your initial appointment today.