Manitowoc letter urges nuclear option for data center power

Farmers in Manitowoc County have formally requested a one-year moratorium on new data center developments, raising concerns about the loss of agricultural land. A letter to the editor published in the Herald Times Reporter addresses a proposed data center project expected to occupy approximately 300 acres, with an additional 500 acres designated for solar power generation. The letter's author acknowledges the necessity of data centers for technological advancement but critiques the extensive land use for solar power, noting that taxpayer-funded federal grants make solar a cheaper option for developers. To mitigate the impact on farmland, the author proposes an alternative: utilizing a small modular nuclear reactor on about 100 acres. This option, combining the power plant and data center, would reduce the overall land requirement to approximately 400 acres. Regarding cooling, the author suggests avoiding well water for cooling towers and instead advocates for using Lake Michigan's cool waters, similar to existing power plants, or air-to-air cooling systems, to further reduce environmental impact.