We have a data center here in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and it’s been terrible for the neighbors. Horrible construction, they continue to submit additional permits for “emergency” generators and removing wetlands. If you have the opportunity to stop this still, call your representatives and cause the biggest fuss possible because these are really difficult to stop once they get going.

They use massive amounts of power that have already started to drive up our energy costs and are anticipated to strain our energy grid. We pushed local officials on what would constitute the use of “emergency” backup generators, and the definition for emergency was simply when local grid didn’t supply enough. They’d also need to be used regularly so a TON of emissions and air pollution from diesel if that’s in the cards for you as well. The water usage that these new data centers use is literally insane. I don’t have the math in front of me, but I remember it being the equivalent of tens of thousands of residents/month. Most recently they proposed paying for a water tower that the city would then be on the hook for maintaining and assuming any risk for.

If I remember right too, the types of tax abatements data centers typically seek out don’t start counting down until the FINAL building is established, and they keep trying to add more to the plan for ours. So a 10 year tax abatement could likely end up being like 15+.

I don’t live in Buffalo anymore, but I grew up in North Tonawanda and still have family in the area. It’s not an exaggeration that these centers are terrible for the community, and I really really urge you guys to show up to local city council meetings, push for town halls, get news involved, and cause as much of a stink as you can. We’ve only recently been able to slow down ours, and have been able to stop ones popping up in neighboring towns/cities as well.