Alabama Data Center Project Prompts Water, Power Concerns; Georgia Site Used as Example
WBRC 6 News investigates the potential impact of data centers in Alabama, focusing on a project in Bessemer. The report uses a QTS data center campus in Fayetteville, Georgia, which includes a Microsoft AI super factory, as an example to illustrate resident concerns regarding water, power, and land usage.
The video from WBRC 6 News explores the potential appearance and impact of data centers in Alabama, specifically referencing a "massive and controversial data center project" in Bessemer. To provide context, investigator Josh Gantt reports on a QTS campus under construction in Fayetteville, Fayette County, Georgia, located approximately 20 miles south of Atlanta. This Georgia site, spanning over 600 acres and under development for three years, serves as an example of what Bessemer residents might anticipate.
One notable building within the Fayetteville campus is identified as a Microsoft AI super factory, housing hardware to accelerate AI development, training, and deployment. The report highlights community concerns from Georgia residents, such as Diana Dietz and Willard Neal, who expressed pushback to city leaders during the construction phase. Their concerns primarily focused on the extensive use of power, water, and land, as well as potential costs for the community.
The broadcast explicitly links the Georgia site to the "same company that's pursuing plans for Project Marvel in Bessemer," indicating that QTS is involved in both locations. The deep dive into the Georgia example aims to address "new questions tonight about water use at that campus in Fayetteville, Georgia," drawing parallels for the Alabama project.
Overall, the WBRC investigation seeks to inform Alabama residents about the potential environmental and infrastructural demands of large-scale data center developments like the one proposed for Bessemer.