Trumbull could become home to one of CT’s first AI data centers
Trumbull, Connecticut, recently enacted a two-year moratorium on new data centers, but an existing facility at 80 Merritt Blvd. is still slated for conversion into an AI data center. Local residents have petitioned the town council to include the upgrade in the moratorium and are considering a referendum due to concerns about increased electricity and water usage and noise. Town officials have received agreements from the developers, 365 Data Centers and Aphorio Carter, to limit environmental impact, but residents remain unconvinced.
An existing data center in Trumbull, Connecticut, is slated for conversion into one of the state's first AI data centers, despite the town recently enacting a two-year moratorium on new data center developments. The facility at 80 Merritt Blvd., operational for over 50 years, is being evaluated for an "AI-ready" upgrade by 365 Data Centers and Aphorio Carter.
Local residents, concerned about potential increases in noise, energy, and water consumption, have actively opposed the upgrade. Although Trumbull's moratorium applies only to the establishment of new data centers and not the conversion of existing ones, residents have petitioned the town council to include the project under the moratorium and are exploring a referendum if their demands are not met. They point to the significantly higher energy and water demands of AI data centers compared to traditional ones, citing Yale professor Kenneth Gillingham's expert opinion that the facility would likely increase electricity use, straining the grid and potentially raising rates.
First Selectman Vicki Tesoro stated that 365 Data Centers and Aphorio Carter have agreed to conditions including no increase in electrical draw beyond existing capacity, no additional noise, no increased water use, and no expansion of the building's footprint. However, residents like Sarah Beck and Sherry Boyd express skepticism, noting that the agreements lack clear enforceability, and experts suggest developers will have incentives to expand capacity in the future. Residents are considering collecting approximately 2,400 signatures to force a town-wide referendum on the issue.