Wary of data center health impacts, some rural Alabamians are fighting back
Residents in rural Lowndes County, Alabama, are opposing a proposed hyperscale data center because of potential diesel-generator pollution, noise, water and wastewater problems, and health impacts. Developer Cloverleaf says the project could generate major tax revenue, jobs and funding for local infrastructure.
A proposed hyperscale data center in Lowndes County, Alabama, could cost as much as $33 billion and employ about 225 full-time workers. Developer Cloverleaf says the site is attractive because of its highway access, a 500-kilovolt transmission line and an existing water system, while tax revenue could substantially increase local school and county budgets and help fund water and wastewater improvements.
Nearby residents and environmental advocates are pushing back, citing the county’s existing health disparities, diesel emissions from backup generators, noise and inadequate wastewater infrastructure. Residents including Linda Hall, Veronica Lane and Lori Russell say the project could worsen local living conditions, while Sarah Allen and CEO David Berry of Cloverleaf defend the development’s economic benefits and promise to limit noise to 55 decibels.