Facts & myths about data centers

Driving Dickinson County, the region's economic development organization, has provided a comprehensive overview of data center development, aiming to inform communities in Kansas, especially Dickinson County, about the opportunities and challenges. The article addresses common myths, such as data centers draining local water resources, by explaining modern cooling technologies like air-cooled and closed-loop liquid systems, citing commitments from industry leaders like Microsoft for zero-water evaporation cooling. It also clarifies that Kansas law, including the Kansas Corporation Commission’s Large Load Tariff and SB 98, protects residents from subsidizing data centers by requiring long-term energy contracts, minimum payments, and developer-funded transmission upgrades. The organization stresses that while data centers can bring significant economic benefits, including job creation, property tax revenue (citing Loudoun County, Virginia as an example), and fiber infrastructure development, communities must establish clear "guardrails." These include requiring Water Usage Effectiveness (WUE) commitments, waste heat recovery, water recycling, proactive zoning ordinances, local hiring commitments, noise abatement, and screening requirements. Driving Dickinson County emphasizes that informed and intentional decision-making is crucial for communities to manage data center development effectively, ensuring growth is sustainable and beneficial without being overwhelmed. The article is not an endorsement of any specific proposal but a call for preparedness and strategic planning.