New Hampshire Residents Oppose Bow Data Center Project, Governor Proposes Statewide Moratorium

Residents in Bow, New Hampshire, are actively opposing a potential data center project slated for the former Merrimack Station power plant site along the Merrimack River. The opposition arose after Granite Shore Power, the site's owner, filed a request with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to discuss connecting a 350-megawatt project to the regional power grid, despite no formal data center proposal being submitted to the town yet.

During a recent Bow Select Board meeting, residents, including Beth Hamilton-Karas from nearby Pembroke, voiced strong concerns about the environmental impact, noise pollution, and water usage, particularly from the Merrimack River. Protesters also gathered outside the municipal building. While most residents opposed the project, Scott Coulombe supported it, highlighting potential tax benefits for the town. However, other residents like Julia Gove expressed skepticism about guaranteed tax advantages and worried about other associated costs.

Beyond local opposition, the issue has gained statewide attention. New Hampshire legislators are exploring measures to restrict data center expansion, and Governor Kelly Ayotte announced her intention to include a moratorium on data centers in the upcoming state budget's policy provisions. Bow Select Board members, including Kip McDaniel and Angela Brennan, assured residents of transparency and adherence to due process, noting that any formal proposal would undergo extensive planning board review, potentially with third-party consultants. The industrial zoning of the Merrimack Station site currently permits a data center, but officials acknowledged the possibility of municipalities changing zoning ordinances to impose restrictions, while also recognizing potential legal challenges from developers.