Letter writer urges land-based alternative to proposed Cook Inlet data center
A letter in the Anchorage Daily News opposes Deep Green’s proposed data center in Cook Inlet, citing engineering, permitting and environmental risks associated with an underwater facility. The writer suggests building a land-based data center in Alaska that could use waste heat for homes or hydroponic agriculture.
Rick Van Nieuwenhuyse of GeoMetallica Inc. argues against Deep Green’s concept of placing a large data center in the middle of Cook Inlet. He cites the inlet’s 32-foot tides and the need for extensive studies to demonstrate that the proposed submarine heat-pump system would not harm the environment.
Van Nieuwenhuyse recommends locating the facility on land, away from residential neighborhoods but near enough to reuse its waste heat for homes or hydroponic food production. He says a large data center customer could also help reduce electricity costs for Alaskans if the project were structured appropriately.