Tax relief or environmental threat? Bow residents divided over possible data center
Residents of Bow, New Hampshire, are divided over a potential data center on the site of a former power plant, with some seeing tax relief and others raising environmental and energy concerns. State politicians, including Governor Kelly Ayotte, have voiced strong opposition, citing high energy costs and proposing a statewide moratorium. No formal proposal has been submitted, but discussions are ongoing.
Residents of Bow, New Hampshire, are grappling with the prospect of a large-scale data center being developed on the 343-acre site of the former Merrimack Station coal-fired power plant. While some, like Ronald Jobel, view the potential data center as an opportunity for significant property tax relief for the town, others express skepticism about investor-owned companies and raise environmental concerns.
The discussions began after Granite Shore Power, the current owner of the shuttered plant, filed a request with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to initiate talks with Eversource about connecting a 350-megawatt project to the regional power grid. Although the filing did not specify the project type, a town official confirmed high-level discussions regarding a data center. The site is considered ideal due to its existing grid connection, proximity to the Merrimack River, and ample land.
Opposition to data center development is mounting at both local and state levels. Bow selectboard member and state representative Eleana Colby highlighted the lack of a clear state framework for towns to regulate data centers, advocating for a pause until protections are in place. New Hampshire Governor Kelly Ayotte has publicly stated her opposition to any data center in the state, citing their tremendous energy consumption and the impact on energy costs, and plans to propose a statewide moratorium in the upcoming budget. State Democrats are also planning legislation for the 2027 session, including a 24-month moratorium and a bill to require data centers using at least 30 megawatts of electricity to cover their own infrastructure and resource costs.
Despite no formal proposal being submitted yet, Bow residents are expected to voice strong opposition at upcoming selectboard meetings. While residents like Van Mosher are open to gathering more information before making a judgment, the debate underscores the community's division and the complex balance between economic development and environmental and energy sustainability concerns.