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Residents urge moratorium, water caps and stronger safeguards on data centers
Summary
Dozens of residents told the Henry County Board of Supervisors they oppose allowing data centers and battery energy storage facilities in the county, citing water consumption, noise, fire risk and threats to farmland; speakers urged a moratorium, stricter special-use standards and large decommissioning bonds.
During an extended public-comment period on July 28, more than 50 residents, farmers and technical witnesses urged the Henry County Board of Supervisors to adopt strict limits or a moratorium on data centers and battery energy storage facilities (BESS).
Speakers repeatedly raised water-use and environmental concerns. Candace Owens (speaker 33) told the board that many data centers tap potable supplies and estimated that a medium-sized center could consume the daily water of about 1,000 households: “Cooling water comes from drinking water,” she said, adding that those withdrawals would compound harms during drought. Multiple speakers also pressed for robust decommissioning bonds and said developers’ promises often fail to materialize once projects are built.
Technical speakers warned of noise, light pollution and ecological impacts. An engineer who identified himself to the board (speaker 11) described potential temperature impacts and disposal problems for electronics and urged restoration bonds and transparent energy-use reporting. Residents asked for annual independent noise testing, water-withdrawal caps that could trigger permit denials, and explicit protections for agricultural zones and wells. The board later removed data-center provisions from the draft ordinance and directed staff to return with additional options and public hearings.
