“Appalachians Against Data Centers” – A Conversation with the Local Founder
A local group, "Appalachians Against Data Centers," has been founded in Chillicothe, Ohio, to oppose a proposed data center by Alignment Engine Inc. at a former paper mill site. The group and its founder, Portia Boulger, express concerns over potential environmental pollution and are organizing local residents to take action and attend city council meetings. A statewide initiative is also collecting signatures to limit data center sizes.
In Chillicothe, Ohio, local activist Portia Boulger has founded "Appalachians Against Data Centers," a Facebook group established in response to a proposed data center by Alignment Engine Inc. at the former "Chilpaco Innovation Campus" paper mill site. Boulger expressed concerns about the project, citing potential pollution of noise, air, water, and soil, and also voiced distrust of John Todoroki, owner of "US Paper Mill," which is leasing to Alignment Engine. The group's mission is to provide information about the Chillicothe data center and others in Ohio, including Pike County, and to serve as a platform for organizing action to "save our town, county, and state.
Boulger recently confronted Mayor Luke Feeney and other city officials regarding a letter the city sent to the developer and is encouraging residents to attend an upcoming Chillicothe Council meeting on September 28th to voice their concerns. Additionally, a Change.org petition titled "STOP Paper Mill from turning into a datacenter! KEEP OUR WATER CLEAN & ENERGY AFFORDABLE!" has gathered over 3,600 signatures. A separate statewide initiative, "Conserve Ohio," is collecting signatures for a constitutional amendment to limit the size of new data centers.