St. Louis becomes the latest battleground in fight over data centers
St. Louis has become a battleground over a proposed data center development by TerraWatt, which plans to convert a million square feet of warehouse space. A lawsuit was filed by local residents, including a Saint Louis University biologist, expressing concerns about noise, water and electricity use, and a lack of environmental impact assessments.
St. Louis, Missouri, has emerged as a new focal point in the national debate over data center development, driven by the ongoing AI boom. TerraWatt, led by CEO David Daneshforooz, aims to repurpose a million square feet of old warehouse space in the city for a new data center, touting its potential to revitalize underutilized infrastructure.
However, the project has met significant community opposition. Kasey Fowler-Finn, a biologist at Saint Louis University, is among the plaintiffs in a lawsuit filed recently, seeking to halt the development. Opponents cite concerns over noise, water consumption, and electricity usage, highlighting the absence of environmental impact and low-frequency sound studies. Fowler-Finn argues against claims made by developers, asserting a lack of transparency regarding the environmental and noise impacts, while acknowledging that the fear surrounding AI technology, which data centers support, is based on scientific evidence.
Daneshforooz counters that delaying U.S. data center development could compromise data security by forcing storage overseas. He also notes that the developers plan to cover their own electricity costs, utilize a closed-loop water system, and invest significantly in local schools. Despite these promises, similar to playbooks used in other cities, the St. Louis community remains unconvinced.