Data Center Evidence

Six questions to ask about a data center project

Take one project through six questions. Collect the records and note what they show. Then take those notes to a public meeting.

  1. How much water will the site need on its busiest day? Ask about water use on the busiest day, not only the yearly average.
  2. What supplies the electricity when the site needs it? Ask whether a renewable claim covers the whole year or every hour.
  3. What will run on the site, and how often? Ask what engines or turbines will run, for how many hours, and under which permit.
  4. What will neighbors hear, especially at night? Ask what noise limits apply at nearby homes and who checks the finished site.
  5. Who pays if the project needs new infrastructure or closes early? Ask which adopted terms set the project’s costs, and who pays if it closes early.
  6. Which promises are required, and who can enforce them? For each promise, ask whether it is an adopted condition and who can enforce it.

What the answers mean

Yes
The cited record directly supports the exact question.
No
The cited record directly shows the opposite. Explain how narrow that finding is.
Not known
The evidence is missing, cannot be opened, conflicts, or is too broad to answer the question.
Does not apply
A documented reason means this question does not apply. Write down the reason and its source.

Three kinds of evidence

  1. Company statement

    What a company says about its project, such as a design claim or a forecast of what will happen.

  2. Adopted requirement

    What an adopted decision or agreement that applies to this project requires.

  3. Measured result

    What was measured during a stated period, with a note of who reported it or checked it.

Other issues may matter here

Also check land and wetlands, stormwater, traffic, construction, public subsidies, permanent jobs and equipment disposal. Ask who gets the benefits and who bears the effects. Pick the issues that matter in this location.

Method and sources