Albany residents weigh in at forum on proposed Kenwood Commons data center
Albany residents voiced concerns at a public forum about Guild Ventures’ proposed 180-megawatt data center at Kenwood Commons. Speakers warned of environmental justice impacts, higher electric bills, financial risks and strain on the power grid, particularly in the South End.
Albany residents and experts gathered at a public forum to discuss the proposed Kenwood Commons data center, a 180-megawatt project being developed by Guild Ventures. The discussion focused on potential environmental risks, environmental justice concerns and the project’s impact on electricity costs and grid reliability, with residents worried that Albany’s South End would bear disproportionate effects.
Mechanical engineer Oliver Holmes questioned whether the facility’s projected revenue would be sufficient to cover its costs, while residents and community advocates warned that the project’s round-the-clock power demand could lead to service disruptions or higher bills. Guild Ventures Director Michael-Henry Elghanian said the developers had begun community engagement after completing initial engineering work, but the company had not responded to WRGB’s request for comment.