Rangely residents voice opposition to datacenters
The Rangely Town Council voted against proceeding with Stage 2 of a proposed geothermal development. This decision was driven by strong public opposition, primarily due to the project's association with data centers, water usage, and transparency concerns.
The Rangely Town Council recently voted 4-1 against moving forward with Stage 2 of a proposed geothermal development, effectively pausing a project that has become closely linked to local concerns about data centers. This decision followed a nearly 20-minute public comment period where more than ten residents voiced their opposition.
Most speakers at the meeting urged the council not to proceed, specifically citing issues related to the proposed data center component, water consumption, project costs, and a lack of public transparency. The council's vote indicates a response to these community concerns, particularly regarding the environmental and financial implications of supporting data center growth through the geothermal initiative.
Although the vote halts the geothermal study for now, the underlying questions about data center development and its impact on the community's resources remain a key point of contention among Rangely residents.