Free concert planned in Clinton to protest proposed hyperscale data center
A free concert and protest are being organized in Clinton, Iowa, by Robbie Bahr in opposition to a proposed hyperscale data center development by QTS. Bahr and local group Clintonians Against Data Centers are calling for a moratorium to allow further study and a public vote on the project. The Clinton City Council previously rejected a moratorium proposal but is working on new data center regulations.
Robbie Bahr, a lifelong Clinton resident and former concert promoter, is organizing a free concert and peaceful protest on September 13 at the Riverview Bandshell in Clinton, Iowa. The event, dubbed the "No Data Center Concert," aims to raise public awareness and questions about a proposed hyperscale data center campus by QTS.
QTS is considering a massive development spanning approximately 1,100 acres with an estimated investment of up to $10 billion, though no formal development plan has been submitted. Bahr expressed concerns about the project's potential demand on electricity, water, and other infrastructure, advocating for independent studies and a public vote.
Bahr's demands align with those of the advocacy group Clintonians Against Data Centers, which has called for an 18-month moratorium on large data center project approvals and a public vote. The Clinton City Council previously considered a 120-day moratorium in June but rejected it on a 5-2 vote, opting instead to continue developing city regulations for data center development. The proposed project has sparked considerable debate among residents regarding environmental impacts, infrastructure strain, transparency, and potential economic benefits.