‘Won’t back down’: Salem residents fill City Council chambers for data center testimony
Salem residents packed a City Council meeting to express strong opposition to a proposed data center development by Ver AS. Concerns were raised about the project's environmental impact, including strain on the power grid and high water usage. Supporters, including Ver AS representatives, highlighted the economic benefits, but no land use application has been submitted yet.
Salem, Oregon, residents and visitors packed the City Council chambers for a public hearing to discuss a proposed data center development. Over 100 people attended, spilling onto the lawn, with many voicing strong opposition, chanting "No data center. Save our water."
The project, by the company Ver AS, is planned for 25 acres on South-East Salem's Mill Creek Center and would consist of three buildings and a substation to support AI and cloud computing. The city announced the project in mid-July after being released from a non-disclosure agreement with Ver AS.
Community backlash has focused on potential environmental impacts, particularly the strain on the power grid and the high water usage required for cooling systems, which opponents fear could affect the local watershed. Supporters of the data center, including representatives from Ver AS, emphasized the significant economic benefits, citing a $5 billion investment that could boost Salem's taxable base. However, the City of Salem reports that Ver AS has not yet submitted a land use application or received any land use approvals.