Environment | Cooper Center

September 28, 2026

McLean County water capacity is a fluid conversation for data centers

Cooper Center expert João Ferreira tells WGLT that differences in each and every data center's need for water make it impossible to say how much one would need or use.

WGLT News

September 17, 2026

Oregon data centers by the numbers: 111 facilities consume nearly one-quarter of state's power, according to new report

A first-of-its-kind report from the Cooper Center and ECOnorthwest details the footprint of the controversial facilities.

Oregon Public Broadcasting

August 12, 2026

Data Centers Are Popping Up All Over Chicago. Here's Where — And Why They're Controversial

Chicago is quickly becoming a hub for companies looking to build new data centers and computing facilities, as Weldon Cooper data reflects.

Block Club Chicago

July 16, 2026

Rural Americans Raise Concerns Over AI Data Centers

Rural Americans are worried that AI data centers will raise their electricity bills as Cooper Center predicts energy demands will rise.

Let's Data Science

June 23, 2026

Conservationist receives lifetime achievement award

Clarke County resident Wingate Mackay-Smith recently was honored by IEN for her many years of work to promote environmental conservation.

Winchester Star

June 3, 2026

Bills barring localities from banning solar farms become law

Data from the Cooper Center's solar database informed senators on both sides of the solar farm debate.

The Smithfield Times

May 21, 2026

Ohio Needs Power For Its Data Centers. Lawmakers Want to Redefine ‘Clean Energy’ to Get It

Cooper Center figures cited as Ohio lawmakers consider legislation that will support data center growth.

Circle of Blue

January 13, 2026

Madison pauses data center approvals for one year

The Madison Common Council voted Tuesday to pause approving land use for new data centers, citing Cooper Center research.

WMTV 15 News

January 13, 2026

Cooper Center Releases Comprehensive Findings on Data Centers in the Great Lakes Region

Press release regarding Cooper Center work on data centers in the Great Lakes region.

January 13, 2026

Economic, Fiscal and Energy-related Impacts of Data Centers in the Great Lakes Region

João Ferreira,

William Shobe,

Terry Rephann,

Matthew Scheffel

A white paper regarding data centers and their economic and energy impacts in the Great Lakes region, carried out by the Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service and supported by the Joyce Foundation.