Drought worsens data center concerns for some Vance County residents
Residents in Vance County, North Carolina, are expressing significant concerns about proposed data center developments due to potential impacts on water resources and the environment, particularly during a drought. A grassroots group, Vance Voices Against Data Centers, has been formed to seek transparency and challenge these projects. Their main worries include water depletion from Kerr Lake and potential contamination.
In Vance County, North Carolina, residents Kathie Hamm and Christian Summerville are leading opposition against proposed data center developments, citing significant concerns over water resource depletion and potential environmental contamination. Their worries are exacerbated by the ongoing drought and the proximity of these projects to Kerr Lake, the state's largest reservoir. Residents fear that data centers, often relying on evaporative cooling systems, could consume millions of gallons of water daily, thereby straining local water supplies used for drinking and bathing.
Steph Gans from Clean Water for North Carolina supports these concerns, highlighting the risk of unknown chemicals, including PFAS, entering the water system from data center operations. Local citizens are actively seeking greater transparency from their elected representatives, arguing that the perceived benefits of data centers do not outweigh the potential harm to community quality of life and natural resources.
To amplify their voices, Hamm and Summerville established "Vance Voices Against Data Centers," a grassroots organization dedicated to facilitating discussions between local authorities and the community. The group is committed to ongoing efforts to address and mitigate the impacts of data center development. Spectrum News 1 North Carolina reported that their attempts to reach Vance County Water for comment were unsuccessful.