Data center site proposed in Smithfield

A solar developer, Revity Energy, based in Warwick, Rhode Island, is proposing to construct a data center business park on several hundred acres behind the Fidelity corporate office on Salem Street in Smithfield, Rhode Island. The Providence Journal first reported on this development. The project, which would house heavy-duty computer systems, is being pitched with the aim of luring a data company to the state, with Revity Energy seeking a 30-year sales tax break. The proposal has drawn a mixed reaction: supporters advocate for the project, citing potential economic benefits for the region. However, opponents have voiced significant concerns regarding the data center's anticipated energy consumption and its potential environmental impact. In response to such developments, State Representative Brian Patrick Kennedy has introduced a bill aimed at regulating data center projects within the state, indicating a broader legislative interest in overseeing these facilities.