Trump Administration Considers Underwater Datacenters; Great Lakes Non-Profit Prepares

Underwater Datacenter Proposals

Reports indicate the Trump administration is considering plans for four underwater, sealed-pod datacenters to be constructed off the coasts of Maine and Alaska. This follows the operation of two existing underwater datacenters off the coast of China. Donald Trump commented on datacenters at a recent rally, stating, "There's so much money to be made for Ohio… they'll go to China… we want them."

Advantages of Underwater Locations

Underwater datacenters offer advantages such as reduced community opposition compared to land-based facilities. They also have the potential to significantly lower utility costs. A Microsoft project in 2018 off northern Scotland demonstrated an 87% reduction in server failures over two years compared to land-based equivalents, which Microsoft executives considered a success.

Great Lakes Environmental Concerns

The cool, salt-free waters of the Great Lakes are seen as potentially attractive for datacenter companies. However, environmental activists are raising concerns about the potential impact of such projects on the freshwater ecosystem. The Lake Erie Foundation, an Ohio-based non-profit, is preparing for potential proposals, citing worries about heat discharge exacerbating harmful algal blooms in Lake Erie, which already faces issues from heat, fertilizers, and agricultural runoff.

Regulatory Stance

A spokesperson for the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) stated that the agency supports the development of data center infrastructure essential for "remaining the world leader in Super Intelligence" while using its authorities to protect water quality. The environmental consequences in the Great Lakes, a source of drinking water for millions, could be significant.