A recent Gallup Poll reported that 71 percent of Americans oppose construction of data centers near where they live. Famed environmental activist Erin Brockovich has joined the fight, now tracking 7,500 reported data centers proposed across the country on this MAP.
Connecticut Third Actors and Climate Team members Laurel VanStone and Mary Sherwin are joining forces with other state environmental organizations to coordinate efforts to slow new data center development in the Nutmeg State.
In Connecticut, at least three communities, West Haven, Morris and Groton, have enacted development moratoriums of at least one year. They are seeking more time to consider potential impacts on the environment, noise and quality of life in rural communities.
The Connecticut General Assembly referred to its next session a bill from the Energy and Technology Committee: “An Act Eliminating Certain Tax Incentives for Data Centers.”
Citing data centers’ environmental impact on water usage, air pollution and excessive noise, Laurel is most concerned about the lack of transparency by the big tech companies storming ahead without obtaining local government approval.
“I’m concerned about the impact of artificial intelligence,” the retired tech writer said. “But my biggest concern is losing our control over the quality of life where you live when a hyperscale data center comes to your town.”
In addition to collaborating with the national Third Act organization, the Connecticut Third Actors plan to connect with Connecticut Citizen Action Group, Sierra Club Connecticut and the Interreligious Eco-Justice Network.
In addition to other initiatives, Laurel said they will encourage Third Act members to work with their local communities that are preparing their state-required 10-year Plan of Conservation and Development on the data center issue.
Upon her retirement to Florida in 2017, Laurel began volunteering with Citizens’ Climate Lobby. She conducted tabling at events to recruit members and also wrote articles, letters to the editor and op-eds for publication.
Returning home to Connecticut in 2019, Laurel joined Third Act Connecticut to continue her environmental advocacy.
“I feel we are off to a good start and I’m very hopeful about what we can do together,” she said. “I encourage people to contact us to join the fight against data centers, to protect our quality of life.”
You can find more information about the fight against data centers here and here.