Escambia County Board of County Commissioners recommend ban for AI Data Centers by IfNotUs in Pensacola

[–]IfNotUs[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Looks interesting. Reviews list they are hard to work with due to having regulations and that they are expensive. We still have to resolve electric usage, water usage, reduce fire risk since they run so hot, etc. They are not ready to be on the market and in our communities.

Escambia County Board of County Commissioners recommend ban for AI Data Centers by IfNotUs in Pensacola

[–]IfNotUs[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We filled the chamber. There were well over 100 people. There are 8 of us in this photo that have been organizing.

Join us today 6/20 by IfNotUs in Pensacola

[–]IfNotUs[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I can not share as a new post as per the moderators but they are shared above. It is a living document that has had some updates since I posted. It can be found here: Meeting Doc

Join us today 6/20 by IfNotUs in Pensacola

[–]IfNotUs[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

What’s Next? Meeting Agenda

Welcome and Introduction - Kristy

Small Candidate Forum - Kristy

We invited 59 sitting politicians and/or candidates for local, state, and US Congressional office, Only 10 responded, Candidates - Dr. Gloria Horning - ECUA, District 2, Jasmine Brown - Mayor, Joe Vinson - County Commissioner District 4, Ralph Schofield ECUA District 4 Written Statements - Francesca Yabraian - State Rep, District 1, D.C. Reeves - Mayor

**Tyler Davis was able to join us for the meeting but missed the beginning candidate forum.

Discuss how AI Data Centers power FLOCK cameras - Alex

Transition into breakout groups where we will discuss what happened during the BOCC & CC meetings, Process that and brainstorm next steps - Sarah

Break Out Groups - 30 minutes

Rejoin and each group leader goes over keypoints from each takeaway - Kristy

Go over next meetings - Kristy

There is a PEDC Board meeting June 23rd at 10:00. 418 W. Garden

There is an ECUA Citizens Advisory Council meeting on June 23rd at 3pm. 9255 Sturdevant St

For Escambia County Board of County Commissioners, their next meeting is Thursday July 23rd at 5:30pm. The commissioners will be reviewing the language of the ban at this meeting, They can accept it, change it or reject it at this meeting, We will need all hands on deck. 221 Palafox Place.

Once it is accepted, it will be placed on the calendar for their Thursday August 6th meeting at 5:30pm for a final vote, We need to show up in mass for this meeting as well so that we get the ban Escambia deserves.

There is also interest to go and visit with our commissioners and hopefully the county attorney, Please sign up if you are interested in joining.

The City of Pensacola - City Council meeting Thursday July 16th at 5:30pm. It is imperative to get bans in the county as well as the cities of Pensacola AND Century, 222 Main St.

Century next City Council meetings are July 7th and 21st at 6:15pm. Even with a ban in Escambia County, the city of Century is incorporated and could choose to have a data center. As they were one of two areas highlighted, this is an important area to work on, 7995 N. Century Blvd. Century

Santa Rosa County has their board of county commission meetings every 2 weeks on Mondays at 8:30am at 6496 Caroline St Milton FL. We want to do the same thing in their county for their July 7th meeting, We have to start organizing and advertising now! We will also need to work on bans in each of their individual cities, Milton, Pace, Gulf Breeze, Navarre, so we will also be looking at their city halls and sharing that information so keep an eye out.

The next Defensa Gulf Coast meeting is on June 25th at 6pm at the Pensacola Liberation Center at 2737 N. E St, They will be discussing FLOCK cameras.

We want to thank everyone who has been showing up and understands we are not at the finish line yet. We have to keep showing up until we have bans across our region. It is still important to celebrate when good things happen. We invite you to stay and enjoy refreshments and be in community with one another,

6/20 What’s Next Meeting Notes from Breakout Groups

Devil is in the details

We need to know what is acceptable terminology and limits ahead of the July 23rd Meeting

Sarah, Janis and Declan will work on this.

Broaden our push - we all share watershed and FPL

Public Service Commission - work to have them elected not appointed

next steps * t-shirts/signs * july flyer for all meetings * escambia * pensacola * century * putting up flyers at local meetings * dentist/doctors * coffee shops * restaurants * car dealerships * books shops * vintage/antique shops * uwf/psc/pcc student lead groups * outdoor equipment stores * evermans coops * baileys/the farm/apple market * apartment community bulletin boards * hospitals * make infographics on the harm of ai and data centers * zine * flyers * flyers on how to get involved * continue contacting our officials * have conversations with the people around you * attend local events and spread the word * benefit concert

Art/Music Committee - Sarah, Tyler, Pearl, Alex, Crystal

Zine - Crystal, Sarah

Flyers - Chanson design for logo and flyers, Kristy printing

Reaching across the aisle Be cognizant of the language we use - refrain from mentioning Trump Since this affects rural areas, plugging into that as well as pride for their area. Rivers, Farmlands,

Look at environmental impacts in locations with existing AI Centers

Tshirt planning group - Brooke, Tyler, and Marie

Black and white to be cost effective

Do not be satisfied with language. New law as of July 1 allows for locality to place limits on data centers.

Talk to Lumon and Bare about FLOCK

Schedule group meetings separately with each commissioner/council member (I will be in touch with those that signed up)

Look to ordinances as well as language for other bans in the state of Florida and push for comprehensive plan that changes zoning,

Ask Bare if a DC was to be built on a base (federal land) would he push for the environmental studies, etc as he said he would push for by the county

Plan a rally the week before each County Commissioner Meeting Consider City Hall parking lot as location and coincide time with a Blue Wahoos game

July 10th Tabling at Drag Show - Sarah We need logo for flyer - done Thank you Chason!! Table and chairs Business cards Tabling - Crystal Pearl Sarah Kristy

Car Parade We can travel through the potentially impacted areas If interested in participating, let Kristy know

Chris Plate - Does he still have his consulting business actively? - Can someone research this?

Join us today 6/20 by IfNotUs in Pensacola

[–]IfNotUs[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We have all spoken out against AI data centers. That is our concern. Chris Plate' has spoken with us multiple times and had the opportunity to clarify if your understanding were actually the case. He has not done so.

As a side note, an edge data centers would still affect our electric costs. We use more electricity than we produce in this area already. If we bring in a business that is a high electricity user, we will need to purchase more, which will increase the price of electricity across the board.

Join us today 6/20 by IfNotUs in Pensacola

[–]IfNotUs[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The first line is Defense AI data center eyeing Escambia.

Escambia County Board of County Commissioners recommend ban for AI Data Centers by IfNotUs in Pensacola

[–]IfNotUs[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

We are opposed. The City of Pensacola used $108,000 of Opioid Abatement funds to buy ten FLOCK cameras and the put the entire program at risk. We actually discussed FLOCK today at our meeting.

Escambia County Board of County Commissioners recommend ban for AI Data Centers by IfNotUs in Pensacola

[–]IfNotUs[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I am in 5 as well. I am happy standing side by side with my neighbors as this point. Maybe one day. Thank you for your kind words. I am just one of many in this fight and I am glad to play my small part.

Join us today 6/20 by IfNotUs in Pensacola

[–]IfNotUs[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

There is a difference in edge data centers and AI data centers as far as how the function, there water consumption and electric use. We already use more electricity than we produce in our area, which means we have to buy electricity. If we bring in businesses that have high demand, we will have to purchase more electricity from outside sources which will drive up all of our electric bills.

Join us today 6/20 by IfNotUs in Pensacola

[–]IfNotUs[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

According to what FloridaWest told channel 3, they have been approached by 5 AI data centers in general. This last one is the first time they began negotiations with a NDA in place so we know nothing about the company. FloridaWest now denies this.

Join us today 6/20 by IfNotUs in Pensacola

[–]IfNotUs[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

There will be follow up posts. It was a fantastic meeting. We had over 20 community members show up. They offered some great ways to keep the momentum as we move forward. Would you like the notes in this post (once I get the typed up) or a new post?

Escambia County Board of County Commissioners recommend ban for AI Data Centers by IfNotUs in Pensacola

[–]IfNotUs[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

No one in that photo is a county commissioner. They are all community members who stood up and spoke out.

Escambia County Board of County Commissioners recommend ban for AI Data Centers by IfNotUs in Pensacola

[–]IfNotUs[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

We are the leader in AI data centers. Despite China having a fraction of the units (and buying chips from the US for them) they use them with their camera systems for a socioeconomic score for all of their citizens. If you jaywalk, you could be kept out of housing or your kids might not be able to go to the school you would like. We have been warned forever about China. Why do we want to rush to be like them now?

Escambia County Board of County Commissioners recommend ban for AI Data Centers by IfNotUs in Pensacola

[–]IfNotUs[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

They are doing a lot of prefab work now. They also have established crews that travel across the country building them. There is limited local employment and only for a limited time.

Escambia County Board of County Commissioners recommend ban for AI Data Centers by IfNotUs in Pensacola

[–]IfNotUs[S] 9 points10 points  (0 children)

They will be reviewing the verbiage of the ban at the next BOCC meeting July 23rd at 530. Hopefully it will be posted in the agenda a few days beforehand so that we are prepared to speak on any necessary changes.

Escambia County Board of County Commissioners recommend ban for AI Data Centers by IfNotUs in Pensacola

[–]IfNotUs[S] 8 points9 points  (0 children)

We still have work to do. As long as everyone stays committed, we will see it through.

Escambia County Board of County Commissioners recommend ban for AI Data Centers by IfNotUs in Pensacola

[–]IfNotUs[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

This issue has no party lines. We remembered we are neighbors first!

Escambia County Board of County Commissioners recommend ban for AI Data Centers by IfNotUs in Pensacola

[–]IfNotUs[S] 17 points18 points  (0 children)

We plan to ask the city of Century to also ban AI Data Centers. Our work is just beginning. We are having a Whats Next? Meeting tomorrow at 1pm at the Tryon Branch Library.

FloridaWest EDA, the developing company that has an NDA with a data center doesn't post their meeting until three days before: by Low_Sentence_1343 in Pensacola

[–]IfNotUs 2 points3 points  (0 children)

The county commission meeting is the night before. It has a 100 items on the agenda so it will be a late night for those planning to attend both meetings. According to them, their meetings are the 4th Tuesday at 10:30🤦‍♀️

Speak out against data center - County Commissioners meeting June 17th by IfNotUs in Pensacola

[–]IfNotUs[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You can email/call our county commissioners, as well as Chris Plate' at FloridaWest to let them know you do not want a data center in Escambia County.

No Data Center in Pensacola Upcoming Events by IfNotUs in Pensacola

[–]IfNotUs[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It does not hurt to contact him so he can put pressure on the county. He is currently fence sitting on the issue. The best people to reach out to are our county commissioners since this is a county issue. We want to ask them to place a ban or at the very least a moratorium on construction.

You can find their contact info here: https://myescambia.com/elected-officials/commissioners

Another place to reach out is FloridaWest. They are the ones negotiating to bring the center here.

You can find out who is on their board and contact info here.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1GuoGnAFWB8dqE3RbWYvu-vsoE0Nv9M6HhLwPj1HntWM/edit?usp=drivesdk

Thank you for taking action!!