Erin Brockovich takes on data center secrecy with community-powered transparency map

Environmental activist Erin Brockovich, best known for her landmark legal battle against Pacific Gas & Electric, has turned her attention to a new front: the secrecy surrounding data center construction and its impact on local communities. In late May 2026, Brockovich launched a publicly accessible website featuring a map of data centers across the United States, built largely from reports submitted by residents living near these facilities.

A map born from community submissions

The interactive map, described by Brockovich as a “work in progress,” aggregates data center locations reported by members of surrounding communities. In a Substack post published alongside the launch, Brockovich revealed that after putting out a call in April 2026 for reports of data center-related issues, she received nearly 4,000 submissions within the first month alone. The overwhelming response underscores a growing unease among Americans living in areas where data center development has accelerated rapidly, often with minimal public consultation.

Transparency emerges as the central demand

According to Brockovich, the single most common concern raised in submissions was not noise, water usage, or rising utility bills — though those were frequently mentioned. Instead, the word that appeared most often was “transparency.” Residents described learning about projects only after permits had already been secured, developers refusing to return calls, and local officials signing nondisclosure agreements before neighbors knew a project was even under consideration.

Brockovich emphasized that she is not making a blanket argument against data centers or artificial intelligence. Rather, she is targeting what she describes as a pattern documented by the map: projects announced after permits are secured, developers who do not respond to community inquiries, and local officials who operate behind closed doors.

Why this matters for communities and the industry

The data center industry has experienced explosive growth driven by cloud computing, AI workloads, and streaming services. Facilities require enormous amounts of electricity and water, and their construction often brings noise, traffic, and environmental concerns. As demand for AI infrastructure surges, the tension between rapid development and community rights is intensifying. Brockovich’s campaign adds a high-profile voice to calls for greater accountability, potentially influencing local zoning debates, state legislation, and corporate disclosure practices.

Conclusion

Erin Brockovich’s data center transparency initiative represents a significant shift in the public conversation around digital infrastructure. By leveraging community-submitted data and her own platform, she is pushing for a more open process that balances technological progress with the rights of residents. The map remains a work in progress, but the volume of submissions already signals that data center secrecy is a deeply felt issue across the country.

FAQs

Q1: What is the purpose of Erin Brockovich’s data center map?
The map aims to increase transparency by collecting and displaying data center locations reported by community members, highlighting areas where development has occurred without adequate public consultation or disclosure.

Q2: How can residents report a data center issue to Brockovich’s project?
Residents can submit reports through the website launched by Brockovich, which includes a form for sharing information about data center construction, environmental concerns, and lack of transparency from developers or local officials.

Q3: Is Brockovich opposed to all data center development?
No. Brockovich has stated she is not making a blanket argument against data centers or AI. Her campaign targets the lack of transparency and community engagement in the planning and permitting process, not the technology itself.