Meta released an interview with Rachel Peterson, its vice president of data centers, this week as the company works to counter mounting criticism of its sprawling U.S. data center buildout. Peterson framed the expansion as essential to powering Meta’s AI ambitions, tying data processing capacity directly to the company’s vision of personalized “superintelligence” tools, part of a spending commitment exceeding $600 billion over three years.
Communities Report Real Costs
The PR effort comes as several regions report tangible fallout from Meta’s projects. Georgia communities have dealt with water contamination and unmetered water drainage tied to data center construction, while data centers in Northern Virginia consumed nearly 2 billion gallons of water in a single year, straining local supply systems. Public opinion reflects the strain: only about a third of Americans support the current pace of data center development, and hundreds of localities have moved to restrict or pause new construction. A nationwide protest effort in July drew demonstrations across more than 40 states.
Meta Points to Grid and Jobs Investments
Peterson pushed back on the narrative that Meta drains local resources, arguing the company’s infrastructure investments often improve grid reliability and can lower costs for nearby residents rather than raise them. She also described Meta’s facilities as closed-loop systems designed to minimize water discharge, and pointed to the company’s new America’s Workforce Academy initiative, launched in June, which partners with construction organizations to train and place local workers near data center sites.
The interview marks Meta’s latest attempt to shore up public support as opposition to hyperscale data centers continues to intensify across the country.