Part 2: Biomass-fueled data center project questions
A data center called Buena Vista AI Factory is under development in Ione, Amador County, California, powered by a converted biomass plant. Local officials provided clarifications on the project's environmental mitigation efforts, including a closed-loop cooling system for water use and continuous monitoring of emissions. However, a congressional candidate raised concerns about the data center's cooling mechanisms, water evaporation, noise, and long-term promises from the developers.
The Buena Vista AI Factory, a data center in Ione, Amador County, California, is being developed at a former biomass site next to Harrah's Northern California casino. The plant is designed to provide renewable, off-grid power to the data center using chipped logs and eventually broader green waste.
Amador County District 3 Supervisor Jeff Brown clarified project details on his Facebook page, stating the plant, originally coal-fueled, was modified for green waste. He highlighted the data center's reliance on the biomass plant for electricity, with excess power potentially supplied to CAISO. Brown also noted that the facility would use untreated water from Jackson Irrigation District and a closed-loop cooling system to minimize water consumption, producing noise comparable to a home AC unit. He mentioned the company's efforts to mitigate environmental impacts and ensure transparency through 24/7 access for the Amador County Air District to operational data. A remaining concern for Brown was the estimated 40 daily truck trips required to supply biomass.
Engineer and congressional candidate Michael Masuda expressed concerns about the project, particularly regarding the cooling system for the dense microprocessing hardware and potential water loss through evaporation. He questioned how the system would dissipate heat, especially during high ambient temperatures, and the noise generated. Masuda, who has a background in tech and policy, also voiced a healthy suspicion of out-of-state developers and the long-term enforceability of their environmental and community promises, emphasizing the need for upfront answers for all stakeholders.