City administration faces opposition from locals concerning the planned construction of a large-scale data center
A proposed $14.5 billion data processing center in Bessemer, Alabama, has stirred up a storm of controversy, with local residents expressing concerns about its potential impact on limited water resources, the environment, and public health.
Strain on Local Water Supplies
The data center, if built to full capacity, could consume an estimated 10.5 million megawatt hours of energy annually, according to Goldman Sachs. This massive energy consumption would require a significant amount of water, with estimates ranging from 2 million to 2 billion gallons per day. Even the lower estimate of 2 million gallons per day represents about a third of the current supply capacity of the local water utility, necessitating substantial and immediate upgrades to the water system.
Environmental Concerns
The project's large water withdrawals could lower the water table in the upper Black Warrior River watershed, potentially drying up important spring habitats critical to endangered local fish species such as the Birmingham darter and the watercress darter. The project could also increase river temperatures and alter delicate limestone habitats, posing significant risks to local aquatic ecosystems.
Air Pollution Concerns
Plans for diesel generators for backup power, estimated to number between 300 to 500 units, have raised concerns about air pollution. Even when tested daily for just three hours, these generators would emit carcinogenic diesel fumes harmful to public health.
Legal Actions and Regulatory Concerns
The Center for Biological Diversity is considering legal challenges under the Endangered Species Act to prevent harm to federally listed endangered fish species, particularly the watercress darter. This potential litigation hinges on whether the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is adequately consulted as required by law concerning federally protected species impacted by the project.
The proposed site is currently zoned agricultural, but city officials are considering rezoning it as "light industrial." However, the city zoning code forbids light industrial uses that significantly harm property or health through pollution or waste emissions, raising further regulatory and community concerns.
Lack of Transparency and Public Scrutiny
The developer's environmental assessments have been withheld from public scrutiny, fueling local concern over environmental damage. Additionally, several members of the city government, including the mayor, his chief of staff, the city's attorney, and members of the Bessemer City Council, have signed non-disclosure agreements with the project's developer.
Community Opposition
City residents have voiced concerns that the center will drain local resources, create negative environmental impacts, and fail to bolster city revenue. The Bessemer City Council is expected to vote on the developer's rezoning request on Tuesday, August 19 at 9 a.m. in City Hall.
In summary, the Bessemer data center project threatens to strain limited local water supplies, degrade critical habitats for endangered aquatic species, and contribute substantial air pollution from backup generators. These factors have led to strong local opposition and may trigger federal legal action to enforce endangered species protections.
- The data-and-cloud-computing center, through its enormous energy consumption and water requirements, could potentially threaten environmental-science aspects, such as lowering the water table in the upper Black Warrior River watershed, impacting endangered species like the Birmingham darter and the watercress darter.
- The proposed data center's backup power generators, numbering between 300 to 500 units, pose concerns about data-and-cloud-computing facilitated air pollution, emitting carcinogenic diesel fumes harmful to public health.
- The project's lack of transparency, evident in withheld environmental assessments and signed non-disclosure agreements, has intensified general-news scrutiny and local environmental concerns.
- The center's potential negative environmental impacts, drain on local resources, and questionable benefits for city revenue have prompted community opposition, with the Bessemer City Council facing a critical vote on the rezoning request, to be held on August 19. Furthermore, the project's compliance with policy-and-legislation regarding federally protected species and environmental impact is subject to ongoing controversy and possible legal challenges.
