Heat adds to strains in areas with data centers, raising temperature on AI debates

The Sacred Heart neighborhood in Lowell, Massachusetts, is experiencing significant environmental and quality-of-life impacts from a nearby data center operated by Markley Group, particularly during recent heat waves. Residents like Eileen Castle report constant noise from industrial air conditioners and unexpected fumes from backup diesel generators, raising concerns about air and water quality.

State Representative Tara Hong (D), whose district includes the affected area, highlighted that the neighborhood, designated by the state for higher environmental and health risks due to its historically excluded and predominantly low-income population, is disproportionately affected. Shaolei Ren, a professor at the University of California, Riverside, noted that heat waves intensify the power and water demands of data centers, potentially straining local grids and worsening air quality if diesel generators are used extensively. Markley Group CEO Jeff Markley stated the company has planted over 2,000 trees to improve air quality and only uses generators during power disruptions, not proactively. He also noted the Lowell facility uses approximately 118,000 gallons of water daily during peak summer, a small fraction of the city's overall consumption, leveraging the Merrimack River for cooling.

In response to growing community opposition, the Lowell City Council unanimously voted 10-0 in February to pass a one-year moratorium on further data center expansion. The North American Electric Reliability Corporation has also issued an alert regarding the challenges posed by surging power consumption from large data centers. Tensions at a recent city-led community forum on data center zoning were high, with one 14-year-old girl temporarily detained by police after speaking out of turn while expressing opposition. Lowell Mayor Erik Gitschier defended efforts to maintain decorum amidst passionate debate.