Dowagiac residents furious over loud data center noise
Residents in Dowagiac, Michigan, are protesting the constant, loud noise from the Hyperscale Data center, owned by Alliance Cloud Services LLC, which they say severely impacts their daily lives. The city council adopted a new industrial noise ordinance and fined the company, while residents have initiated a class-action lawsuit. Hyperscale Data plans to expand into AI computing and offered to buy properties from residents who remain unsatisfied.
Neighbors in Dowagiac, Michigan, are expressing intense frustration over continuous, high-pitched noise emanating from a data center known as Hyperscale Data, owned by Alliance Cloud Services LLC. Residents Lindy Valenzuela, Marjorie Finn, and Billy Finn, who live directly across the street from the facility on Louise Avenue, describe the sound as a constant, loud vacuum cleaner, making it difficult to sleep, enjoy outdoors, or open windows. They report that the noise has been ongoing 24/7 for the past couple of years, despite the area having been quiet for decades.
In response to resident concerns, Dowagiac city leaders adopted the city's first industrial noise ordinance in March, setting decibel limits. The city manager confirmed that Hyperscale Data has been fined for violating this ordinance, although the company is challenging the city's measurements. Despite the ongoing issues, Hyperscale Data has been promoting plans for a $100 million expansion into AI computing and advanced robotics, shifting away from cryptocurrency mining, which residents claim the city was unaware of.
During a special city council meeting, Hyperscale Data CEO William Horn addressed residents, outlining the company's expansion plans and efforts to reduce noise levels. He also controversially offered to purchase properties from residents who remain unhappy and feel their homes are uninhabitable. Dozens of residents spoke passionately against the company at the meeting, with none expressing support. Environmental health sciences professor Rick Neitzel from the University of Michigan voiced concerns about data center noise, citing its association with health issues like high blood pressure and heart attacks.
Lindy Valenzuela is a plaintiff in a "first-of-its-kind class action lawsuit" against Hyperscale Data, alleging excessive noise. Attorney Laura Sheets, representing Valenzuela, stated that the company does not have the right to substantially interfere with property use and enjoyment, and residents have legal options to compel the company to be a better neighbor. Hyperscale Data issued a statement acknowledging resident concerns, reiterating its operational transition and commitment to reducing sound levels, noting that roughly half of the mining equipment is already offline.