Data center health worries animate midterm campaigns
Residents in Page, Arizona, are organizing against a proposed $10 billion data center after the City Council approved the sale of 500 acres for the project. Opponents cite potential noise, air pollution, water impacts, light pollution and health risks, while the project still needs zoning and other approvals and has become a political issue in Arizona and other states.
Residents of Page, Arizona, have petitioned and mobilized against a proposed $10 billion hyperscale data center planned near Horseshoe Bend. The City Council approved the sale of 500 acres, but the project's precise location and required zoning and other approvals remain unresolved. Residents including Doug Herrera and Jan Boehme said they fear noise, light pollution, higher temperatures and pollution from backup generators and cooling systems.
The proposed facility has become part of a broader political backlash against data center growth, particularly in Arizona and Ohio. Democratic congressional candidate Amish Shah has called for a pause on new construction, while Republican candidate Jay Feely supports data centers as important to competing with China. Public health researchers and environmental advocates warn of potential air, water and noise impacts, while the Data Center Coalition says backup power use is limited and existing regulations constrain emissions.