A Washington Post opinion piece argues that data center developers have a responsibility to assess and mitigate impacts on the rural communities where many large campuses are being sited. The piece points to issues including strain on local water supplies, increased electricity costs for nearby residents, and limited local job creation relative to land and resource consumption. The argument follows a week of reporting that includes a Harvard study quantifying air pollution and health costs from AI data centers and separate research in Wisconsin examining actual water consumption figures. The opinion adds editorial weight to a growing body of documented evidence being used by community groups and regulators to challenge project approvals.