Pulaski County Residents Oppose Secretive Data Center Projects
Pulaski County citizens are upset about two hyperscale data center projects by Google and AVAIO due to a secretive recruitment process and potential environmental impacts on electricity and water resources. Local officials are criticized for lack of transparency and community engagement, while a proposed moratorium failed and new regulations are deemed insufficient. Residents are urged to advocate for stricter regulations and transparency.
Pulaski County residents are expressing strong opposition to the secretive recruitment of two hyperscale data centers by AVAIO Digital and Google. These projects, located near Wrightsville and east Little Rock respectively, are projected to have a massive environmental footprint, requiring significant electricity—more than all Little Rock households combined—and substantial water, potentially making them among Central Arkansas Water's largest customers.
The article criticizes the lack of transparency from the companies and local government entities, including the Little Rock Regional Chamber of Commerce, Entergy Arkansas, the Port of Little Rock, and Central Arkansas Water. These groups reportedly worked for over two years to bring the data centers to the county, yet details only emerged publicly in recent months. Key decisions, such as a land sale to Google's shell company, were made with minimal public notice and input, fueling public outrage.
Concerns revolve around wetland dredging, water source protection, and the environmental impact of increased electricity demand, which may necessitate new power plants and residential rate increases. The Pulaski Quorum Court failed to pass a moratorium on data center permitting, while the Little Rock City Board's enacted regulations are seen as inadequate. Advocates, including Democratic nominee for county judge Wendell Griffen, are calling for bold leadership, strict regulations, and genuine public engagement to protect predominantly Black, rural communities from becoming industrial extensions of the Port of Little Rock.