Sierra Club Iowa Chapter raises concerns about growing data center industry
The Sierra Club Iowa Chapter and Physicians for Social Responsibility are urging stronger statewide safeguards as large-scale data centers expand across Iowa. They cite concerns about electricity demand, water use, pollution, noise, transparency and the potential for infrastructure costs to be passed on to residents, while Linn County has enacted an 18-month moratorium on new large-scale facilities in unincorporated areas.
Environmental and public health advocates are calling for stronger oversight of Iowa’s rapidly growing data center industry. Jessica Mazour of the Sierra Club Iowa Chapter and Brian Campbell of Physicians for Social Responsibility said hyperscale facilities could sharply increase electricity demand, water consumption, pollution and noise, while nondisclosure agreements may limit public understanding of proposed projects.
The groups cited developments and proposals in communities including Woodward, Salix, Clinton, Palo, Fairfax and the Cedar Rapids area, where Google and QTS are developing data center campuses. The Sierra Club is seeking rate protections, aquifer studies, closed-loop cooling requirements, greater disclosure and statewide tracking of projects. At least 25 Iowa counties have adopted moratoriums, and Linn County approved an 18-month pause on new large-scale data centers in unincorporated areas while it reviews regulations and considers additional protections.