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Residents warn of water, PFAS and noise impacts from potential data centers
Summary
Speakers raised environmental and health concerns — water consumption, PFAS in cooling water, diesel backup generator emissions, and continuous low-frequency noise — and urged stricter monitoring, setbacks and mandatory decommissioning bonds.
Multiple commenters detailed technical and public-health concerns they associate with large data centers, urging the county to write stronger enforceable standards into the ordinance.
Julie Loggins highlighted chemical and emissions issues, saying operators often use PFAS-containing substances in cooling systems and that diesel backup generators can substantially increase local pollution: "Until they can figure out how to not put those in and use them in the cooling systems, I really don't think we want to have them here." Rebecca Glass cited examples of communities where noise and water problems affected habitability and property values.
Speakers proposed specific ordinance elements: mandatory performance bonds or letters of credit for decommissioning, expanded setback requirements (public requested expansions beyond the draft's 60-foot setback), and more frequent post-occupancy noise monitoring than the draft's annual check. Staff noted many of these topics are under consideration as the Commission revises the draft.
