Concerns over data center near Fisk University in Nashville
A planned 30-megawatt data center near Fisk University in Nashville, part of a new master plan, is drawing criticism from neighbors and alumni. Concerns include potential environmental impacts, noise pollution, and the facility's proximity to a historic Black community. University officials state the project will align with local energy policies and limit water/energy usage, but petitions have been launched to reconsider the plans.
A proposed 30-megawatt data center, part of a new billion-dollar master plan at Fisk University in Nashville, is facing significant backlash from local residents and university alumni. The project, which includes a 100,000 square-foot technology center on five acres of campus, aims to create new opportunities for students.
University officials assert that the data center will adhere to Nashville Electric Service (NES) policies, preventing increased energy costs for neighbors, and will also limit water and energy consumption as well as emissions. However, critics, including Fisk University alumnus Winston Wright, have initiated online petitions urging the university to reevaluate its plans. Wright expressed embarrassment, stating that the project goes against the institution's legacy of fighting harmful infrastructure in Black communities.
Another petition organizer, a local mother of two, voiced concerns regarding potential noise pollution and the lack of studies on the long-term health impacts of living near data centers. The broader master plan's construction is slated to span the next decade. Opponents are now calling for a halt to the project before construction commences.