Lakeland residents urge data center moratorium as Project Swan developer defends proposal
Lakeland, Florida residents are advocating for a one-year moratorium on new data center developments, citing concerns over potential health impacts from noise and diesel generators, as well as risks to the power grid. The developer of Project Swan, Ryan Companies U.S. Inc., is defending its proposal, stating that much of the opposition stems from misinformation. City commissioners will hold further public hearings before a final vote on the proposed moratorium.
Lakeland, Florida residents are intensifying their efforts to implement a one-year moratorium on new data center construction within the city. During a recent public hearing, resident Kristie Poma voiced concerns that the proposed 600,000-square-foot 'Project Swan' data center, located just ten minutes from her home, could exacerbate her heart condition and frequent migraines due to noise from diesel backup generators.
Other residents also highlighted potential risks, including increased demands on the city's utility infrastructure, public safety issues related to lightning strikes in Polk County, and the strain on local firefighters. They urged city commissioners to approve the moratorium to allow for a thorough study of data centers' impacts.
Tyler Lohmiller, representing Ryan Companies U.S. Inc., the developer behind Project Swan, countered the residents' claims, asserting that much of the opposition is based on misinformation. He clarified that Project Swan would be a cloud data storage facility, not an AI data center, and would not rely on water for cooling. Lohmiller emphasized the developer's desire to partner with the City of Lakeland to ensure the project benefits the community while minimizing its impact.
The proposed moratorium would temporarily prohibit new large electrical users with peak demands of 50 megawatts or more, while existing data centers would be prevented from expanding. If enacted, city staff would review Lakeland's Comprehensive Plan and Land Development Code over the next year to assess data centers' compatibility with surrounding land uses, their impact on utilities and natural resources, and long-term economic effects. Commissioners are scheduled to hold two more public hearings before voting on the moratorium on August 3.