Ban the construction of data centers in Everett, MA
Ban the construction of data centers in Everett, MA
The Issue
As an Everett, MA resident- I am deeply concerned about current existing zoning allowing the construction of data centers in our community, particularly on the Docklands Innovation District.
While there is a global surge of data center construction which benefits tech companies, there are significant downsides for residents where they are constructed. Currently, there is no existing legislation in place on a citywide, state, or national level to protect us from:
- Skyrocketing utility rates- increased electric demands to support a data center require infrastructure upgrades, paid for by residents through rate hikes. Some regions see increases of their utility rates of 25%.
- Water resource depletion- cooling required for data centers require large volumes of water, exacerbating existing droughts and jeopardizing our water resources, constraining future development, and overwhelming wastewater treatment infrastructure. Mid size data centers use millions of gallons of water a day. Typically, this water cannot be recycled, and potable water is used. Closed loop systems use less water, but more electricity (which likely uses water to produce said electricity).
- Non disclosure agreements mean that utility records are not public record.
- Air pollution- Everett is already an environmental justice community with some of the worst air quality in the state, linked to higher disease rates such as asthma. Data centers run 24/7 and rely on backup generators (often diesel) that emit toxic air pollution, exacerbating air quality challenges.
- Noise pollution- data centers generate a constant and significant high pitch buzzing noise, which according to residents near the data centers in Lowell (and other communities), has been extremely disruptive despite noise mitigation efforts.
- Heat islands- recent studies have shown that data centers create heat islands increasing temperatures within 6 miles of a data center by up to 16F.
- Data centers provide minimal jobs once constructed.
- Tax incentives often minimize community benefits.
Join me in urging the Planning Board and City Council to revise zoning to ban data centers or ensure that they are built sustainably in a way that mitigates community and environmental impact. By signing this petition, you are advocating for data center policy that prioritizes public health and responsible development. We must be proactive, not reactive.
Sign this petition to ban the construction of data centers in Everett, MA and demand a more sustainable approach to our community’s development.
Current Proposed ordinance:
1,314
The Issue
As an Everett, MA resident- I am deeply concerned about current existing zoning allowing the construction of data centers in our community, particularly on the Docklands Innovation District.
While there is a global surge of data center construction which benefits tech companies, there are significant downsides for residents where they are constructed. Currently, there is no existing legislation in place on a citywide, state, or national level to protect us from:
- Skyrocketing utility rates- increased electric demands to support a data center require infrastructure upgrades, paid for by residents through rate hikes. Some regions see increases of their utility rates of 25%.
- Water resource depletion- cooling required for data centers require large volumes of water, exacerbating existing droughts and jeopardizing our water resources, constraining future development, and overwhelming wastewater treatment infrastructure. Mid size data centers use millions of gallons of water a day. Typically, this water cannot be recycled, and potable water is used. Closed loop systems use less water, but more electricity (which likely uses water to produce said electricity).
- Non disclosure agreements mean that utility records are not public record.
- Air pollution- Everett is already an environmental justice community with some of the worst air quality in the state, linked to higher disease rates such as asthma. Data centers run 24/7 and rely on backup generators (often diesel) that emit toxic air pollution, exacerbating air quality challenges.
- Noise pollution- data centers generate a constant and significant high pitch buzzing noise, which according to residents near the data centers in Lowell (and other communities), has been extremely disruptive despite noise mitigation efforts.
- Heat islands- recent studies have shown that data centers create heat islands increasing temperatures within 6 miles of a data center by up to 16F.
- Data centers provide minimal jobs once constructed.
- Tax incentives often minimize community benefits.
Join me in urging the Planning Board and City Council to revise zoning to ban data centers or ensure that they are built sustainably in a way that mitigates community and environmental impact. By signing this petition, you are advocating for data center policy that prioritizes public health and responsible development. We must be proactive, not reactive.
Sign this petition to ban the construction of data centers in Everett, MA and demand a more sustainable approach to our community’s development.
Current Proposed ordinance:
1,314
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Petition created on February 24, 2026