Residents warn Benton County about data‑center impacts; urge stronger moratorium language
Public commenters raised infrastructure, wastewater and air‑quality concerns about data centers and urged the commission to tighten a proposed moratorium; one speaker warned the county could bear unspecified infrastructure costs if controls are not clear.
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During the citizens forum Gary Alcar — introduced by the clerk as the first commenter — urged the commission to strengthen the draft temporary moratorium related to data centers and related facilities. Drawing on his experience as a project engineer, Alcar warned of wastewater, hazardous‑waste disposal, heavy construction trucking and large power draws, saying, "The key is how much of that does Camden or Benton County want to pay?" He called for clearer environmental and infrastructure controls up front rather than retrofitting later.
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