Join the Resilient Infrastructure Community of Interest (the RIC) for a two-part educational series exploring how data center siting and design decisions shape the resilience, reliability, and community impact of digital government infrastructure.
As cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and connected systems increasingly underpin government operations and public services, data centers have become mission-critical infrastructure. Decisions about where data centers are located and how they are designed carry long-term implications for operational continuity, resource use, community safety, and public trust.
This series will feature expert perspectives from Dave Martinez, Manager of Computing Infrastructure at Sandia National Laboratories; Ryan Howard, CEO of Levitate Energy; and Jim Sprague, RIC Industry Chair and SVP of Analytics and Data Science at Cadmus.
Part 1 (presented on February 23) focused on resilient design characteristics that support resilient data centers. Drawing on real-world examples from Sandia National Laboratories, the session explored how thoughtful design choices can reduce risk, use local resources wisely, and even create benefits for surrounding communities—such as opportunities for heat reuse. If you missed it, you can watch the recording.
Part 2 (March 16) will build on this foundation with a discussion on identifying the right site. The session will introduce the RIC’s data center siting decision tool and examine key local considerations, including: resources for power and cooling, affordability and reliability, natural hazards and community safety, and navigating permitting and NIMBY concerns.
Engineers, technologists, emergency managers, and policymakers should tune in to gain practical insights and decision frameworks that help government and industry leaders make informed, defensible data center siting and design decisions—supporting resilient digital government while aligning with community needs and infrastructure realities.
United States