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Resident urges limits on "mega" data centers, citing water use and health risks
Summary
During public comment, Nicole Bethel urged the commission to restrict the size of large data centers, saying they threaten local water supplies and generate noise and health problems; commissioners said no data-center permits were before the commission tonight.
A public commenter urged limits on large commercial data centers, framing the issue as one of water use, noise and public health.
"The petition is not to ban data centers. It is to ban mega data centers. It is to control how big they get, what how much energy they use, how much water they use," Nicole Bethel said, calling on residents to sign a petition to limit size and resource consumption.
Bethel alleged data centers can produce high noise levels and cited a University of California, Riverside article she said linked community health impacts to data-center expansion in poorer communities. She also raised concerns about water treatment chemicals used for closed-loop cooling systems and potential downstream pollution.
The mayor responded that there was no item before the commission to approve a data center and that an older facility (first sited in 2004) existed on the property in question; commissioners agreed they share concerns about accountability and resource use but noted no formal permit decision was on the agenda.
The exchange recorded community concern and a proffered petition; staff did not present proposed regulations or a formal moratorium at the meeting.
