Kentucky Community Receives Data Center Information at Public Event
A public event was held in Shepherdsville, Kentucky, to inform concerned citizens about data centers. An attorney from the Kentucky Resources Council discussed their significant impacts, including high energy and water consumption, noise, and pollution. The discussion also covered the need for stricter regulations and how communities can prepare for and potentially oppose data center developments.
Concerned citizens and local officials gathered at the Bullitt County Public Library Central Branch in Shepherdsville, Kentucky, for a public event focused on data centers. Byron Gary, senior attorney with the Kentucky Resources Council (KYRC), provided information on data centers, their rapid increase in recent years due to AI, and their various impacts.
Gary detailed the significant energy and water consumption of these facilities, noting that a 525-megawatt data center in Louisville (Camp Ground Road) could produce 3.6 gigawatts annually. He highlighted other impacts such as noise, localized pollution from backup diesel generators, increased fossil fuel use, and land conversion. He mentioned that many counties in Kentucky lack updated regulations regarding data centers, making the state attractive due to cheaper, coal-based power, tax incentives, and open spaces.
The discussion also covered job creation claims, which Gary suggested could be misleading, and the potential for tax revenue. KYRC, assisted by the Sierra Club of Kentucky, advocates for strict regulations and specific zoning ordinances to protect ratepayers and the environment. Gary noted that Louisville Gas & Electric (LG&E) is expected to fund the Camp Ground Road center's infrastructure, raising concerns about ratepayers subsidizing costs. He advised citizens to be proactive and informed before data centers arrive, especially given ongoing court battles related to EPA regulations.