Pioneer Valley communities continue to rally against data centers
Communities across Massachusetts' Pioneer Valley are actively rallying against data center developments, raising concerns about power, water usage, and environmental impact. Westfield recently enacted a one-year data center moratorium, and Holyoke passed an outright ban. The state government has also paused data center tax incentives and is working on new regulations.
Residents across the Pioneer Valley in Massachusetts are intensifying their opposition to data center developments, citing concerns over potential increases in power bills, excessive water usage for cooling, and overall environmental impact. This widespread sentiment has led to significant actions at both local and state levels.
Westfield's City Council recently passed a one-year data center moratorium unanimously, with Mayor Michael McCabe signing off a day later. Residents, including Donna Lisi and Jessica Britton, packed city chambers to voice their worries, highlighting the conflict between data center energy demands and the state's carbon-zero goals. The moratorium is not expected to affect the previously permitted Servistar Data Center project, which is reportedly still progressing.
Other communities are also taking action; Holyoke has enacted what appears to be the state's first outright data center ban, while Greenfield is considering a similar one-year moratorium. State Senator John Velis of Holyoke and Westfield has backed an amendment to a senate energy bill that would codify Governor Maura Healey's recent decision to pause applications for data center tax incentives and establish "guardrails" to prevent negative impacts on energy costs, infrastructure, and public health. Ward 7 Councilor Meg Magrath-Smith of Holyoke notes the need for nuance, as the city also hosts the Massachusetts Green High Performance Computing Center, and is looking to establish a data center study committee to inform future ordinances.