Webinar: Diesel Generators at Data Centers: Status, Impacts, and Protective Practices presented by Better Data Center Project

​Many data centers run on hundreds of diesel generators.

​They're:

• ​Loud

• ​Polluting

• ​Increasingly used beyond emergencies

​…and often flying under the radar.

​Across the country, data centers rely on large fleets of diesel generators to provide backup power during outages and testing. While often overlooked in discussions of digital infrastructure, these generators can be a significant source of air pollution, contributing to local health risks and environmental harm.

​In this webinar, researchers from the Better Data Center Project, Dr. Catherine Casomar and Dr. John Bangsund, will walk through their new report: Diesel Generators at Data Centers: Status, Impacts, and Protective Practices
https://betterdatacenterproject.com/resources/diesel-generator-report

​They will explore how diesel generators are deployed at data centers, what emissions they produce, how often they are used, and what regulatory gaps exist. Drawing on recent research and real-world examples, speakers will also share protective practices and strategies communities can use to better understand, monitor, and advocate for stronger oversight.

​Participants will leave with a clearer understanding of how backup power systems operate, the risks they pose, and what tools can help communities hold data centers accountable.

​Speaker Bios:

​John Bangsund
John Bangsund is an interdisciplinary research scientist focused on energy, the environment, and health. His experience spans multiple labs and startups, including work on solar cells, rapid pathogen detection, and emissions modeling. Since 2025, he has worked with the Better Data Center Project studying emissions from energy and backup power at data centers. He holds a PhD in Materials Science from the University of Minnesota.

​Catherine Casomar
Catherine Casomar is a co-founder of the Better Data Center Project, an organization formed by former federal workers in 2025 to provide technical assistance to communities on the front lines of data center development. She has 15 years of experience in energy and climate and a decade of work advancing equity and justice across sectors. Catherine holds a PhD in Materials Science from the University of Minnesota and a BSE in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering from Princeton University.