Lowell, Massachusetts, City Council Enacts Moratorium Amid Data Center Opposition
A data center operated by Markley Group in Lowell, Massachusetts, is facing significant community opposition due to noise, air quality concerns from diesel generators, and high water and electricity usage, especially during heat waves. In response to these concerns, the Lowell City Council enacted a one-year moratorium on further data center expansion. Tensions escalated at a recent community forum discussing data center zoning.
Residents of Lowell, Massachusetts, are vocalizing strong opposition to a data center operated by the Markley Group in their Sacred Heart neighborhood, citing concerns over noise from industrial air conditioners, fumes from backup diesel generators, and heavy water and electricity consumption. Eileen Castle, an 82-year-old resident, expressed worries about air and water quality for local children, particularly during recent heat waves that increase data center energy demands and reliance on generators. Experts like Shaolei Ren and Jonathan Koomey confirm that extreme heat exacerbates the environmental and grid strain posed by data centers, making cooling more power-intensive and increasing the risk of diesel generator use, which harms local air quality.
State Rep. Tara Hong highlighted that the affected neighborhood is predominantly low-income and working-class, a population historically excluded from political decision-making processes. The Markley Group's CEO, Jeff Markley, defended the facility, stating they have planted over 2,000 trees for air quality and only use generators in emergencies, not proactively. He noted Lowell's abundant water from the Merrimack River was a key factor for the site, with the facility using about 118,000 gallons daily during peak summer, a fraction of the city's total consumption.
In a direct response to growing community pressure, the Lowell City Council voted 10-0 in February to enact a one-year moratorium, halting further data center expansion in the city. Tensions around the issue were evident at a recent city-led community forum on data center zoning, where a 14-year-old girl was temporarily detained by police for speaking out of turn. Mayor Erik Gitschier defended his actions at the contentious meeting, citing the need for decorum amid passionate debate.
The North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) has also issued an alert regarding the challenges posed by a surge in large power consumers like AI data centers, developing guidelines to mitigate immediate risks. A coalition of data center opponents continues to clash with data center supporters, including electricians, who argue the facility benefits Lowell's ties to the tech industry.