Pasco County commissioners move forward with 2nd hearing on data center
Pasco County commissioners are advancing a second hearing for a moratorium on large-scale data centers. Dozens of residents voiced strong concerns about potential impacts on wildlife, health, noise, energy use, and water conservation, urging the commission to enact the moratorium. While most opposed, one individual advocated for allowing small-scale, water-efficient data centers.
Pasco County commissioners are moving forward with a second hearing regarding a proposed moratorium on large-scale data centers. This decision comes after numerous residents voiced significant concerns during a recent Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) meeting.
Nearly 30 people spoke at the podium, sharing anxieties about the potential impact of data centers on wildlife, human health, and noise pollution. Residents also highlighted concerns over energy consumption, overheating, and water conservation, with some holding signs that read "Florida water for people, not data." The overwhelming sentiment from the public was in favor of the moratorium, with many urging the county to prevent large data centers from establishing themselves in the area.
Amidst the opposition, one gentleman from South Florida expressed support for a temporary pause but advocated for allowing small-scale data centers. He outlined his plan for a nearly 20-megawatt, 200,000-square-foot facility, claiming it would not use water for cooling and would only require about 200,000 gallons of water for restrooms, asserting it would use less water than a typical coffee shop.
County commissioners discussed the language of the moratorium to prevent any loopholes, indicating a proactive approach to potential issues. The district chair expressed satisfaction with the county's steps to protect citizens from excessive water and electricity consumption. The next hearing on this topic is scheduled for July 14th in Pasco County and June 22nd in Zephyrhills.