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    Research Library

    POLICY & RESEARCH
    LIBRARY

    Curated collection of credible research, government reports, academic studies, and industry analysis on digital infrastructure topics. Each entry includes source attribution and publication information.

    Showing 18 of 18 research items

    EnergyDec 18, 2024

    2024 United States Data Center Energy Usage Report

    Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
    Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory • Arman Shehabi, Sarah J. Smith, Alison Hubbard, Noman Lei, Mohammad A.B. Siddik

    LBNL's landmark study finding U.S. data center annual energy use in 2023 was approximately 176 TWh — about 4.4% of total U.S. electricity consumption. Projects data center energy could double or triple by 2028 driven by AI workloads. The study found states with the largest data center demand growth generally saw electricity price decreases between 2019 and 2025, though some saw increases.

    Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory

    Original Publisher

    Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory

    EnergyMay 31, 2026

    Data Centers and Their Energy Consumption

    Congressional Research Service
    Congressional Research Service • CRS Research Division

    Comprehensive Congressional Research Service report covering data center types, energy consumption patterns, cooling technologies, water use, and electricity price impacts. Notes that roughly half of data center power demand comes from IT equipment, with the remainder primarily for cooling. Finds no legally binding energy standards apply to private-sector data center operations.

    Congressional Research Service

    Original Publisher

    Congressional Research Service

    Economic ImpactVirginiaFeb 26, 2026

    Not In My Back Yard! The Effects of Data Centers on Housing Prices

    University of Rochester
    University of Rochester • Alex Priest

    Using air permit data matched to ZIP code-level home price indices in Virginia, this study finds the causal effect of data center permitting on nearby residential property values is "economically small and slightly positive," providing no evidence of large negative impacts on home prices. Important caveat: study covers data centers built before the current hyperscale era.

    University of Rochester

    Original Publisher

    University of Rochester

    EnergyMay 31, 2026

    Bypassing the Grid: How Data Center Developers Are Building Their Own Power Plants

    Cleanview
    Cleanview • Cleanview Research Team

    Analysis identifying 59 data centers with a combined capacity of approximately 90 GW planning behind-the-meter power generation. Finds Ohio leads the country in BTM gas capacity under construction. Approximately 2 GW of BTM capacity was online as of mid-2026, with ~3 GW expected by year-end. Bloomberg NEF identifies 100 GW of on-site gas capacity planned nationally.

    Cleanview

    Original Publisher

    Cleanview

    Economic ImpactMay 31, 2026

    Data Center Construction Spending Reaches $59.3 Billion Annual Rate

    U.S. Census Bureau
    U.S. Census Bureau • Census Bureau Construction Spending Division

    Census Bureau data showing data center construction spending reached a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $59.3 billion in May 2026 — up 23% year-over-year. Data centers now account for approximately 8% of all private nonresidential construction spending, surpassing general office construction for the first time.

    U.S. Census Bureau

    Original Publisher

    U.S. Census Bureau

    Tax PolicyApr 12, 2026

    The Data Center Debate: Fact vs. Fiction

    Goldwater Institute
    Goldwater Institute • Goldwater Institute Research Team

    Pro-industry analysis arguing data centers consume less than 0.05% of U.S. freshwater withdrawals, create some of the highest tax-revenue-per-acre ratios of any land use, and that developers — not taxpayers — typically fund grid infrastructure. Cites Loudoun County, Virginia where data centers generate 38% of county general fund revenue.

    Goldwater Institute

    Original Publisher

    Goldwater Institute

    State PolicyJun 30, 2026

    State Data Center Policy 101: 2026 Legislative Guide

    MultiState Associates
    MultiState Associates • MultiState Government Affairs Team

    Comprehensive tracking of state data center legislation across all 50 states in 2026. Covers energy, water, zoning, tax, and moratorium bills. Documents at least 30 communities that have paused or prohibited data centers in 2026 alone, and tracks 370+ state-level legislative items related to data center development.

    MultiState Associates

    Original Publisher

    MultiState Associates

    Economic ImpactVirginiaDec 31, 2025

    Loudoun County, Virginia: Data Center Revenue and Economic Impact

    Loudoun County Department of Economic Development
    Loudoun County Department of Economic Development • Loudoun County Economic Development

    Official county data showing data centers generate approximately 38% of Loudoun County's general fund revenue — over $600 million annually. The data center industry supports thousands of direct and indirect jobs and has funded major capital improvements including schools, transportation, and public safety infrastructure.

    Loudoun County Department of Economic Development

    Original Publisher

    Loudoun County Department of Economic Development

    Economic ImpactJun 30, 2026

    U.S. Data Center Market Investment and Growth Outlook 2026–2030

    JLL (Jones Lang LaSalle)
    JLL (Jones Lang LaSalle) • JLL Data Center Solutions Group

    Industry outlook finding U.S. data center market investment reached a record $120 billion in 2025, with projected growth to $250 billion annually by 2028 driven by AI infrastructure demand. Identifies the U.S. as the global leader in data center capacity with over 5,000 facilities operational or under construction.

    JLL (Jones Lang LaSalle)

    Original Publisher

    JLL (Jones Lang LaSalle)

    Grid ReliabilityMay 14, 2026

    Behind-the-Meter Generation: Reducing Grid Strain Through On-Site Power

    U.S. Department of Energy
    U.S. Department of Energy • DOE Office of Electricity

    DOE analysis examining how behind-the-meter (BTM) generation at data center campuses — including natural gas turbines, fuel cells, and eventually small modular reactors — can reduce strain on the bulk power system while meeting the massive power demands of AI and cloud infrastructure.

    U.S. Department of Energy

    Original Publisher

    U.S. Department of Energy

    TechnologyMay 31, 2026

    AI Infrastructure Investment and American Competitiveness

    Information Technology & Innovation Foundation (ITIF)
    Information Technology & Innovation Foundation (ITIF) • ITIF Research Team

    Analysis arguing that U.S. leadership in AI depends on continued rapid expansion of domestic data center and computing infrastructure. Finds that nations leading in AI infrastructure investment are capturing disproportionate economic gains.

    Information Technology & Innovation Foundation (ITIF)

    Original Publisher

    Information Technology & Innovation Foundation (ITIF)

    Economic ImpactFeb 28, 2026

    Data Centers and Economic Development: A Framework for Community Benefit

    Site Selection Magazine
    Site Selection Magazine • Site Selection Editorial Team

    Analysis of how data center projects create economic development benefits including construction employment, permanent technology jobs, expanded property tax base, infrastructure investment, and local contractor opportunities.

    Site Selection Magazine

    Original Publisher

    Site Selection Magazine

    EnergyApr 19, 2026

    Small Modular Reactors for Data Center Power: Feasibility and Timeline

    Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI)
    Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) • EPRI Nuclear Sector

    EPRI analysis of SMR deployment pathways for powering data center campuses. Finds that SMRs could provide 24/7 carbon-free baseload power matching data center load profiles, with first commercial units potentially operational by 2030.

    Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI)

    Original Publisher

    Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI)

    Economic ImpactJan 31, 2026

    Data Center Workforce Development: Building the Next Generation of Infrastructure Talent

    U.S. Department of Labor
    U.S. Department of Labor • DOL Workforce Development Division

    Federal analysis of workforce needs created by data center construction and operations, including electrical trades, HVAC technicians, network engineers, security professionals, and facility managers.

    U.S. Department of Labor

    Original Publisher

    U.S. Department of Labor

    TechnologyJan 14, 2026

    Advanced Cooling Technologies and Water Efficiency in Modern Data Centers

    ASHRAE (American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers)
    ASHRAE (American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers) • ASHRAE Technical Committee 9.9

    Technical standard-setting body analysis of modern data center cooling technologies including direct-to-chip liquid cooling, immersion cooling, and air-cooled designs. Finds that newer cooling architectures can dramatically reduce or eliminate water consumption.

    ASHRAE (American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers)

    Original Publisher

    ASHRAE (American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers)

    Economic ImpactKentuckyJun 30, 2026

    The Economic Impact of the Paducah, Kentucky Digital Infrastructure Hub

    Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development
    Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development • Kentucky Economic Development

    State economic development analysis of the $100 billion Paducah data center campus — the largest single private investment in Kentucky history. Projects creation of thousands of construction jobs and hundreds of permanent positions.

    Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development

    Original Publisher

    Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development

    Federal PolicyApr 14, 2026

    Federal Land Access for AI Infrastructure: Executive Order Implementation

    U.S. Department of the Interior
    U.S. Department of the Interior • DOI Bureau of Land Management

    Implementation guidance for the federal executive order directing agencies to identify and make available federal lands suitable for AI infrastructure development, including data centers and supporting energy infrastructure.

    U.S. Department of the Interior

    Original Publisher

    U.S. Department of the Interior

    Economic ImpactVirginiaOct 31, 2024

    Virginia JLARC Report: Data Center Economic and Fiscal Impact Assessment

    Virginia Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission
    Virginia Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission • JLARC Research Staff

    Authoritative state legislative review finding that data centers in Virginia generate billions in annual tax revenue, support 74,000 direct and indirect jobs, $5.5B in labor income, and $9.1B in GDP to Virginia's economy annually.

    Virginia Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission

    Original Publisher

    Virginia Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission

    About This Research Library

    The American Digital Infrastructure Coalition Research Library is a curated resource designed to provide stakeholders — communities, policymakers, developers, utilities, researchers, and journalists — access to credible analysis on digital infrastructure issues.

    Selection Criteria
    • Peer-reviewed or from established institutions
    • Methodologically sound
    • Relevant to ADIC core issue areas
    • Recent (generally within 3 years)
    Important Notes
    • Inclusion does not imply ADIC endorsement of conclusions
    • Some sources may represent industry perspectives
    • Others may represent advocacy positions
    • We present diverse viewpoints for informed evaluation

    Have research to suggest? Submit for consideration.