Mount Shasta Residents Oppose Potential Data Center Project
A single inquiry about a potential data center in Mount Shasta, California, sparked immediate and overwhelming community opposition, even though no formal project application has been filed. Residents are concerned about the data center's water and electricity demands in the area known for its glacier-fed springs. The mayor has publicly opposed the idea, and thousands have signed a petition against it.
A simple phone call to Mount Shasta's planning director, inquiring about the feasibility of building a data center at the former Crystal Geyser bottling plant, quickly ignited a major local controversy. City Manager Todd Juhasz's mention of the call at a council meeting triggered an "immediate and overwhelming" community response.
Residents of the small California town, known for its glacier-fed springs and mountain character, raised concerns about the significant water and electricity demands of data centers. An online petition against the potential project has garnered over 15,000 signatures, and city hall has been inundated with hundreds of emails. Misinformation on social media led to threats against city officials.
Mayor Casey Glaubman has publicly declared his opposition to any such development while urging residents to distinguish between facts and rumors. Officials clarify that, as of now, no formal project exists: no application has been filed, no vote is scheduled, and Siskiyou County supervisors, who hold jurisdiction over the unincorporated site, confirm nothing is pending before them. The property, owned by a Bay Area firm, was previously marketed as suitable for data centers, which likely prompted the initial inquiry.