Holyoke banned new data centers. But it likes the eco-conscious one it already has

Holyoke, Massachusetts, has become the first municipality in the state to enact a ban on new data centers, driven by community concerns over environmental impacts. This updated zoning ordinance, however, includes a specific carveout allowing the Massachusetts Green High Performance Computing Center (MGHPCC), established over a decade ago, to continue its operations. Holyoke City Council President Tessa Murphy-Romboletti noted the MGHPCC's positive community relations and its historic role as a "good neighbor".

The MGHPCC, a non-profit co-founded by universities including Harvard, MIT, the UMass system, Northeastern University, Boston University, and Yale, is showcased as a model for sustainable data center development. Executive Director John Goodhue explained that the facility operates almost entirely on carbon-free power, has a high energy efficiency rating, and minimizes its environmental footprint, including consuming 20-30,000 gallons of water daily for cooling, which is recycled. Its location in Holyoke, where 90% of power comes from carbon-free sources, significantly contributes to its green status.

The article contrasts MGHPCC's approach with the rapid, less sustainable development of "super-sized" AI data centers elsewhere, which face criticism for high water and electricity usage, reliance on fossil fuels, and noise pollution. Computer engineer Benjamin Lee from the University of Pennsylvania noted that while technologies for green data centers exist, commercial developers often prioritize speed over upfront efficiency investments due to the "AI race." The piece also highlights a statewide move towards regulation, with Governor Maura Healey signing an executive order mandating local municipal approval and adherence to new clean energy and community benefit guidelines for all new data centers permitted by state agencies.