Public commenter warns Hammond about data centers, water use and EMF risks
Summary
A resident warned the council about the risks posed by proposed or local data centers, alleging high water use, noise, heat and electromagnetic frequency pollution, and urged the city to oppose further data center development; the speaker cited several national examples but provided no local data in the meeting.
Matt Miller told the council during public comment that data centers pose environmental and public‑health risks and urged Hammond to stop further construction. "We're talking about substantial noise, air, heat, chemical, and EMF or electronic magnetic frequency pollution," he said, and claimed large water use and increased utility costs in other communities where data centers have located.
Miller cited several broad examples and asserted harms including increased water bills, agricultural impacts, and an unspecified rare bacterium in one out‑of‑state case. He also linked data centers to surveillance technology and said the facilities could power license‑plate/flat cameras. The council did not debate the claims during the public comment period, and Miller did not provide documentary evidence or local impact studies during his remarks.
Council or staff did not respond with technical or regulatory detail during the meeting; any factual claims raised by Miller (water use, health risks, microbial contamination) will require external verification and municipal planning review before informing policy.
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