Communities advised on handling data center proposals
This article serves as a guide for communities across the US, including Missouri, on how to navigate the arrival of data centers. It emphasizes the importance of community benefit agreements, carefully managed tax incentives, and addressing concerns about electricity and water consumption. Experts advise communities to plan proactively and consider moratoriums to develop sufficient regulations.
As data center proposals surge across Missouri and the United States, communities are grappling with rapid decisions impacting their economies, natural resources, and way of life. Experts, including Lauren Withycombe Keeler from Arizona State University, suggest communities focus on clear goals and transparent guarantees through negotiations and well-developed community benefit agreements. These agreements, legally binding contracts between communities and data centers, can ensure residents benefit from new developments while mitigating risks.
The article, compiled from interviews with over 50 experts, local officials, and residents, highlights key considerations for communities. It notes the significant increase in data center electricity consumption, projected to reach 8% of U.S. power by 2030, and their substantial water usage, comparable to that of a small town. While data centers can offer jobs and tax revenue, experts recommend carefully managing tax incentives and addressing environmental concerns.
Recommendations for communities include proactive planning before a data center arrives and considering moratoriums to establish robust regulations, as suggested by the NAACP's "Stop Dirty Data" report. Transparency from developers is crucial, as a lack thereof often fuels resident opposition. Residents have responded to proposals by demanding information, rallying for protections, and even voting out officials. The article provides a "menu of options," stressing that each community's approach will differ based on its unique situation.