Greenfield exploring moratorium on data centers
The Greenfield City Council is considering a one-year moratorium on data center construction to study their impacts and develop regulations. Council members voiced strong concerns about data centers' environmental, electricity, and water usage, and their perceived lack of local economic benefit. The Economic Development Committee agreed to pursue regulations and explore the proposed moratorium.
The Greenfield City Council is deliberating a one-year moratorium on data centers to thoroughly research their potential impacts and establish regulatory frameworks. Precinct 7 Councilor Sarah Bolduc presented two zoning amendment options to the Economic Development Committee: a one-year moratorium or the creation of a special permit process for data centers. Bolduc emphasized the need for proactive measures, citing concerns over the pending acquisition of FirstLight Hydro Generating Co. by Hull Street Energy, a firm reportedly involved in directing energy to data centers in other states.
Councilor Bolduc highlighted the significant environmental, health, and economic risks posed by data centers, noting their substantial electricity and water demands. She referenced studies indicating the high energy consumption for AI model training and the potential for considerable health-related damages from air quality impacts, even for compliant facilities. While acknowledging that an outright ban might not be permissible under state law, which promotes data center development, Bolduc advocated for stringent regulation. Economic Development Committee members expressed support for pursuing regulations, with Precinct 2 Councilor Rachel Gordon stating a desire to "make it as hard as humanly possible for anyone to ever build a data center." The committee plans to collaborate with the Planning Board to refine the draft zoning amendments.