Petersburg utility and private developers pitch small data center; residents raise capacity and safety concerns

Utility Director Hagerman presented a small‑scale data center proposal from Greensparc, saying it would "utilize existing unused electrical capacity, generate steady revenue for the utility, help stabilize rates, and have minimal environmental or community impacts." Hagerman and company representatives answered Assembly questions during the meeting.

Greensparc CEO Sam Enoka introduced the company's plan and Mazzella Alaska CEO Andrew Mazzella, a property owner and project partner, said he is working with Greensparc to advance the site. Mazzella clarified that while he purchased the property about a year and a half ago, "discussions regarding a data center had occurred only within the past few weeks," responding to concerns about timing and public notice.

Several residents urged caution. Tom Kowalske said he was concerned about "the capacity of the system to support the data center's power needs" and recommended purchasing bear‑proof trash cans for apartments and schools as a separate community safety step. Greg Browning warned a data center "may use too much power during peak load times or when there is a shortage of water" and asked that project partners exercise due diligence. Aaron Hankins of the Fire Department cautioned the Assembly that battery backup systems, particularly lithium batteries, "may be a fire hazard."

Steve Harbour, representing Petersburg Power & Light, told attendees the presentation materials are available on the Borough website and thanked staff for preparing the grid capacity analysis. The Assembly did not take formal action on the data center proposal at this meeting; the topic was discussed during the utility report and the public‑comment period.