Opponents hold loud protest against proposed AI data center in Colorado Springs
Opponents of Project Taurus, a proposed AI data center in Colorado Springs, held a noise demonstration to protest its development, citing concerns about noise, water, and electricity usage. The City Council is set to make a decision this week, hearing appeals against the Planning Commission's prior approval of the project. The developer, Rate, disputes the noise claims made by protesters.
Opponents of a proposed artificial intelligence data center, known as Project Taurus, in Colorado Springs, Colorado, held a loud protest ahead of a crucial City Council decision. Demonstrators used a noise demonstration to simulate a 90-decibel sound level, which they claim the massive facility could produce, nearly double the city's 55-decibel mandate. The protest also highlighted concerns about the project's potential water and electricity demands.
Jason Green, co-founder of Rate, the California-based company behind Project Taurus, dismissed the protest as "dramatic" and accused demonstrators of "making things up." He stated that the company would not be able to operate if noise levels exceeded the city's mandate, citing a published noise study showing their operations would be at 41 decibels. Project Taurus aims to transform a former Intel chip manufacturing facility into a large-scale AI data center.
The Colorado Springs City Council is scheduled to hear two appeals on Thursday, challenging the Planning Commission's July 23rd approval of the development plan modification. Comments during the special meeting will be limited to 120 speakers, each allowed two minutes. The developer also hinted at a potential lawsuit if the City Council's vote does not go in their favor, suggesting it would be a "painful process" for the city.