Surveillance data centers are coming to San Francisco
Two new surveillance data centers are planned for San Francisco's Bayview Hunters Point and Vis Valley neighborhoods, prompting concerns from District 10 Supervisor Shamann Walton. Residents and environmentalists raise alarm over potential pollution, water usage, noise, and ecosystem disruption. Supervisor Walton is investigating legislative action to address the lack of community input and environmental impact.
San Francisco's District 10 Supervisor Shamann Walton has voiced serious concerns regarding two planned surveillance data centers in the city's Bayview Hunters Point and Vis Valley neighborhoods. He stated that these projects advanced without any community input, mirroring a past instance involving a Novva data center at 400 Paul Avenue which went through Planning in 2016 without public awareness.
The Supervisor highlighted potential negative impacts, including water and noise pollution, thermal pollution, air pollution, and disruption to local ecosystems, citing general issues with data centers. Concerns were also raised about artificial EMF fields affecting bees and projections of AI data centers consuming more freshwater than global human consumption by 2027. Walton noted that half of nationally proposed surveillance data centers have faced delays or cancellations, and referenced Maine's legislature passing a moratorium on such facilities, though it was vetoed by Governor Janet Mills.
Walton is now exploring legislative options to address the issue, emphasizing that District 10 has already borne a disproportionate industrial burden. He has also engaged officials in Daly City and San Mateo County regarding a proposal at the Cow Palace, which falls outside San Francisco's jurisdiction but directly impacts his constituents. The article also draws a parallel to Henrico County, Virginia, where a proliferation of data centers led to a 25% electricity rate hike, illustrating potential consequences.