Advocacy Piece

Data Centers Need to be Better for Our Environment

The AI and technology boom has led to the need for more data centers around the country. Many of these data centers, new and old, are having drastic effects on the environment and the communities they are in. In order for us to keep our environment safe, data center design must include the foundation of environmental safety and security. 

Designing data centers with environmental stewardship in mind is becoming an urgent priority as the artificial intelligence boom accelerates facility construction worldwide. Addressing these ecological impacts requires developers to adopt smart design principles during early planning stages, specifically targeting water consumption, noise pollution, and chemical emissions.

Cooling infrastructure remains one of the largest resource demands for facility operators. According to research from the Yale School of the Environment, data centers require immense volumes of water for cooling mechanisms because high electricity usage generates continuous, extreme heat. In water-scarce regions, this demand places heavy strain on local aquifers and municipal supplies. Smart facility planning integrates closed-loop cooling systems and advanced air-cooling technologies to dramatically minimize fluid consumption.

Beyond resource depletion, operational facilities generate persistent acoustic disruptions. The Environmental and Energy Study Institute reports that data centers emit low-frequency sounds that often go unmitigated because local authorities frequently lack specific ordinances or noise regulations to address them. Incorporating sound-dampening architectural barriers, strategic site placement, and quieter mechanical equipment into initial designs can protect nearby residents from chronic noise exposure.

The environmental footprint of these facilities also extends to air and chemical pollution. Findings from the World Resources Institute highlight that data centers contribute to the spread of persistent environmental contaminants, often linked to the fossil-fueled power sources relied upon to meet their intense energy demands. Transitioning site designs to prioritize direct integration with renewable energy microgrids, such as solar and wind, helps mitigate the release of harmful long-term pollutants into local watersheds and air basins.

Proponents of rapid data center expansion frequently point to economic benefits, arguing that local job creation offsets environmental drawbacks. However, analysis from the World Resources Institute demonstrates that the environmental burdens of these facilities often fall disproportionately on marginalized communities and communities of color, where industrial zoning is most commonly approved. Economic opportunities cannot substitute for public health and environmental protection. 

By embedding comprehensive environmental assessments directly into the architectural phase, developers can build the digital infrastructure required for the future while safeguarding local communities and natural resources.Furthermore World Wide Technology says that this is possible.

5G - What it Means

As phones continue to upgrade, the wireless technology powering them also changes and evolves. One of the biggest changes to the wireless industry has been the shift from 4G LTE to 5G speed, powering mobile devices into a new era of constant connectivity. Delivering this level of performance across millions of devices requires a massive engineering effort. Here is how 5G keeps modern devices connected every day.

The History of Wireless Connectivity

5G technology exists today thanks to decades of steady progress across the telecommunications industry. The earliest generations of wireless networks were relatively simple by modern standards. First-generation analog networks were built solely for voice calls, while second-generation digital networks introduced text messaging.

In the mid-2000s, 3G made basic mobile web browsing practical, setting the stage for smartphones. By 2010, 4G LTE transformed mobile access by delivering high-speed broadband connections. This bandwidth powered the explosion of video streaming, social media platforms, and live video chatting.

As consumer demand grew and media files became larger, 4G networks faced capacity limits during peak usage. The rollout of 5G addresses these bottlenecks by dramatically expanding overall capacity while laying the technical groundwork for future generations like 6G.

Consumer Behavior Changes Technology

Every major milestone in wireless standards has been directly driven by changing consumer habits and higher data demands. As users began demanding instant high-definition video, seamless online gaming, and fast file downloads on the go, engineers had to redesign the underlying network architecture.

Unlike older networks that relied almost entirely on massive cell towers spaced miles apart, 5G utilizes a multi-layered infrastructure approach. It combines traditional macro towers with thousands of small cell nodes mounted on streetlights, utility poles, and building rooftops.

This hybrid approach allows 5G to operate across multiple frequency bands. Low-band frequencies cover wide geographic areas and penetrate building walls, while high-band millimeter-wave frequencies deliver ultra-fast transmission speeds over shorter distances in crowded city centers, stadiums, and transportation hubs.

Today’s Connections

In everyday life, 5G does far more than speed up mobile web browsing. It powers the growing ecosystem known as the Internet of Things, connecting smart devices across homes, municipal infrastructure, and industrial settings.

Consumers notice 5G through near-instantaneous app downloads and buffer-free video streams. Beyond consumer apps, the technology's exceptionally low latency enables real-time data exchange for emerging fields like autonomous driving systems, remote medical monitoring, smart agricultural sensors, and automated manufacturing logistics.

It is also common for consumers to confuse mobile standards with wired internet marketing. Cable providers often market "10G" home networks, which refers to an industry term for broadband cable initiatives targeting multi-gigabit speeds rather than a tenth-generation wireless standard.

By combining higher data capacity, lower latency, and denser physical infrastructure, 5G provides the crucial backbone that keeps smart technology connected as mobile demands continue to grow worldwide.

Profile Story - Atomic Electric Company

For over 30 years, Atomic Electric Company has been providing dependable electrical services to commercial and residential clients throughout New Jersey. Behind the brains of the business is Scott VanDerveer, a master electrician with over 40 years of hands-on experience in the trade.

Scott and a business partner founded Atomic Electric Company in 1995 after losing their jobs when their previous employer closed its doors. It was a natural choice to start the business, Scott explains, as their work began to gain a strong reputation among previous clients as safe, high-quality, and reliable. Since then, Atomic has continued to build on that solid foundation, expanding its reach across the region.

Today, Atomic Electric is a certified, fully licensed, bonded, and insured electrical contractor operating throughout the Garden State. Despite modern shifts toward heavy digital marketing, the company has continued to grow in an old-school fashion centered on client trust and quality craftsmanship.

“Our business has grown by word of mouth primarily,” explained Scott. “We haven’t used traditional advertising methods to grow, relying entirely on our hard work to do the talking.”

Letting the work and reputation speak for itself, Atomic Electric Company has served a wide variety of clients over the decades, ranging from municipalities and marinas to retail and hospitality spaces. Their deep expertise allows them to handle complex infrastructure requirements just as effectively as everyday electrical maintenance.

“We work with a variety of clients, from office buildings to large-scale box stores,” Scott said. “Right now, we are doing a lot of work in the weddings space in Monmouth County.”

Now celebrating their 30th anniversary, Atomic Electric Company reflects on a long history of adapting to market demands while remaining true to core values. Adapting became especially critical in recent years as shifting client demands required quick pivots in daily operations.

“The pandemic changed the way we worked originally,” said Mike Maresca, longtime Atomic Electric Employee. “More people were home and working on projects, so we transitioned to doing residential work.”

This flexibility allowed the business to thrive even during uncertain economic conditions, deepening their connections with local homeowners while maintaining their strong commercial footprint. As technology and safety standards advance, the company remains dedicated to adopting modern electrical techniques while maintaining the old-school integrity that built their brand.

“Atomic Electric continues to grow and evolve,” said Mike. “It has been great seeing the company grow over the years and I look forward to being part of the future of the business.”

Hard News Story

Colliers Engineering & Design to Host Annual 5K Run

Running is a surprising way to get out of the house and give back to the causes that mean most to us. There are numerous ways to participate, such as participating in a local 5K, Marathon or run crawl, staying both active and giving back to your local community. If you’re in the Alexandria, VA area, Colliers Engineering & Design’s Annual 5K Foundation Run may be the perfect way you can give back. 

Colliers Engineering & Design, a nationwide architecture, engineering and design firm, is hosting the Colliers Engineering & Design Foundation’s Annual 5K Run in Alexandria, VA with options to participate virtually. 

“We are excited to host our third annual Foundation 5K Run,” said Tim Coyle, President of the Colliers Engineering & Design Foundation. “These runs are a great way to give back to our local communities and we are looking forward to seeing everyone out running for a good cause.” 

The run is set to take place on Friday, October 15 starting at 8 am at Cameron Run Regional Park. Virtual races will be taking place throughout the month at Colliers Engineering & Design offices throughout the United States. 

Donations collected will be donated to the Salvation Army’s Holiday Assistance Program. The Salvation Army's holiday assistance programs provide food, gifts, and other essential items to those in need during the holiday season. The donations are specifically being collected to help fund local angel tree donations throughout the community. 

“We know the importance of giving back to the communities we live and work in,” explained Tim. “We want as many people as possible to participate, that is why we are offering the opportunity to virtually run or walk to everyone interested.”

Virtual participation will be taking place through Facebook, a platform known to local runners as the place to find nearby races. Lizzo, R., and Liechty, T. wrote a publication about the benefits of local running through Facebook and Instagram, promoting the social and health benefits as well as the community aspect brought together by running. If you are just starting out running, Spilner has a program called Couch to 5K that anyone can participate in. 

Metals are available to all participants running in Charlotte. Virtual badges are available to those participating virtually.To participate in the run, visit www.colliersengineering.com/foundation-run-2026 to sign up to race in Alexandria or virtually participate. 

References:

Lizzo, R., & Liechty, T. (2022). Benefits and Motivations for Virtual Community Participation: A Netnography of the Hogwarts Running Club. Journal of Park & Recreation Administration, 40(2), 2–16. https://doi.org/10.18666/JPRA-2021-10778

Spilner, M. (1997). 8 weeks to your first 5K. Prevention, 49(7), 92.