Oliver County commissioners hear concerns about proposed data center noise

Oliver County commissioners held a meeting to address ongoing concerns regarding a proposed data center, with noise pollution being a central point of discussion. Industrial hygienist Tammy Clark presented to the commission, highlighting potential adverse impacts of low-frequency and tonal noise generated by hyperscale data centers. Clark argued that the steady sound from such facilities could affect the overall health of nearby residents and livestock. She also expressed reservations about the ambient sound study being conducted by the developer, questioning its efficacy since the data center is not yet built.

An attorney representing Allied Digital, the company planning the data center, responded to Clark's statements. The attorney asserted that many of the concerns raised were already being addressed through conditions previously approved by the county. They further clarified that Allied Digital's sound study is comprehensive, covering all equipment, and a third-party sound study is also underway to evaluate more than just standard decibel levels, implying a thorough approach to mitigating noise impacts.