Trumbull could become home to one of CT’s first AI data centers despite new 2-year moratorium

An existing data center at 80 Merritt Blvd. in Trumbull, Connecticut, is slated for conversion into a "high density, AI-ready" facility, a move that could establish it as one of the state's first AI data centers. This development comes despite the Trumbull Town Council recently enacting a 2-year moratorium on new data center "establishment and development." However, this moratorium explicitly excludes the proposed upgrades to the pre-existing facility, sparking considerable local opposition.

Residents, including Sherry Boyd and Sarah Beck, voice significant concerns regarding increased energy and water consumption, potential noise, and a perceived lack of economic benefits. Kenneth Gillingham, a professor at Yale School of the Environment, corroborates these concerns, noting that AI data centers are significantly more resource-intensive than traditional facilities, potentially straining the local power grid and contributing to higher electricity rates from utilities like Eversource and UI.

First Selectman Vicki Tesoro stated that she secured agreements from the applicant, 365 Data Centers and Aphorio Carter, to prevent any increase in electrical draw beyond existing site capacity, noise, water use, or building expansion. However, the town is still determining how to enforce these agreements, and experts like Gillingham suggest that expansion is almost inevitable for data center owners.

Local opposition remains robust. Residents submitted a petition asking the town council to include upgrades under the moratorium and are now considering gathering enough signatures to force a town-wide referendum on the issue, which they believe they could win. This ongoing community effort aims to secure further protections against the data center's modernization.