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Resident urges Washington County to resist data centers, warns of rising bills and loss of farmland
Summary
During public comment, a resident urged commissioners to "reject big tech," warning that data centers and accompanying solar installations can raise residential electric bills, provide few long-term local jobs, and consume farmland; the board did not take action during the comment period.
A member of the public told Washington County commissioners Jan. 4 that the county is being targeted by large data centers and associated solar development and urged officials to protect farmland and local residents.
"We're seen as a business friendly state and willing to give up a lot in the form of property taxes ... So I see solar and data centers going hand in hand, and I wonder if we have been targeted by solar companies so that they can preemptively put in the solar that will support the data centers," said Unidentified Speaker 4 during the public-comment period.
The speaker cited examples in other states where residents' electric bills rose sharply after large energy users or market changes, saying, "people having a $350 electric bill that will jump to $950 ... making it difficult for people to actually choose ... between electricity and eating." She urged the commission to put local contractors to work and to prioritize residents over large technology companies: "I urge at every level, everybody in government to reject big tech in favor of us small humans."
The board did not vote or take formal action in response to the comment. Staff and commissioners acknowledged the concern and discussed planning commission activity on solar rules; the comment also included a request about accuracy of public-comment summaries posted online (the speaker referenced repeated entries for "Lucy Bretton").
