Holyoke residents lash out over proposed data center

Chestnut River Power has proposed a $200 million, 20-megawatt data center project for a vacant industrial site at the former Hampden Paper complex on Water Street in Holyoke, Massachusetts. The developers claim the project would revitalize the area, and project lead Zaisha Robert argues that the facility's 20-megawatt scale is significantly smaller than "mega-projects" in other states, representing only 2% of their size. Robert also suggests that the utility revenue generated by the data center could benefit the city's long-term financial stability.

However, the proposal has already ignited significant opposition from hundreds of Holyoke residents, even before any permits have been filed. Residents express strong concerns that the data center could strain the city's water and power grid. A petition is circulating among residents, with comments highlighting fears of environmental pollution and negative impacts on drinking water, referencing issues observed in other parts of the country. One resident specifically wrote, "I don't want to see data centers ruin Holyoke." Despite Robert's reassurances, pointing to an existing, unnoticed data center in the city with no reported negative impacts, the developers have not yet purchased the property, stating they wish to ensure city support first. The Holyoke Mayor and City Council have not yet commented on the proposal, which is anticipated to be a contentious topic at an upcoming city council meeting.