Ban the construction of data centers in Everett, MA

Recent signers:
Lee Walsh and 13 others have signed recently.

The Issue

I am a resident of Everett, MA, and like many of my neighbors, I am deeply concerned about the proposed construction of data centers in our community. These facilities, while beneficial for tech companies, come with significant downsides for local residents, including skyrocketing utility rates, depletion of our precious water resources, and increased air and noise pollution.

Firstly, data centers consume an enormous amount of electricity. This increased demand drives up utility costs for everyone in the community. As we have seen in other areas with data centers, residential and commercial electricity rates can soar, hitting households hard, especially those already struggling to pay their monthly bills.

Moreover, data centers are notorious for their massive water usage. In an age where water conservation is critical, particularly during periods of drought, the operation of data centers could jeopardize our local water supply. This is a risk we simply cannot afford to take.

Beyond the financial and environmental implications, there are serious concerns about air and noise pollution. Data centers rely on vast arrays of cooling systems and backup generators to maintain their operations, which contribute to noise pollution. Additionally, these operations can lead to reduced air quality, affecting everyone's health, particularly those with pre-existing respiratory conditions.

The construction of data centers in Everett is not inevitable. By raising our collective voice, we can influence local policymakers to seek alternative sites or methods that do not threaten the well-being of our community. We need greater investment in renewable energy solutions and urban planning that prioritizes the environment and the health of our residents.

Join me in urging the local authorities to reassess this decision. Our community deserves sustainable development that protects our resources and maintains our quality of life. By signing this petition, you are standing up for Everett and ensuring a healthier future for our families and neighbors.

Sign this petition to ban the construction of data centers in Everett, MA and demand a more sustainable approach to our community’s development.

1,246

Recent signers:
Lee Walsh and 13 others have signed recently.

The Issue

I am a resident of Everett, MA, and like many of my neighbors, I am deeply concerned about the proposed construction of data centers in our community. These facilities, while beneficial for tech companies, come with significant downsides for local residents, including skyrocketing utility rates, depletion of our precious water resources, and increased air and noise pollution.

Firstly, data centers consume an enormous amount of electricity. This increased demand drives up utility costs for everyone in the community. As we have seen in other areas with data centers, residential and commercial electricity rates can soar, hitting households hard, especially those already struggling to pay their monthly bills.

Moreover, data centers are notorious for their massive water usage. In an age where water conservation is critical, particularly during periods of drought, the operation of data centers could jeopardize our local water supply. This is a risk we simply cannot afford to take.

Beyond the financial and environmental implications, there are serious concerns about air and noise pollution. Data centers rely on vast arrays of cooling systems and backup generators to maintain their operations, which contribute to noise pollution. Additionally, these operations can lead to reduced air quality, affecting everyone's health, particularly those with pre-existing respiratory conditions.

The construction of data centers in Everett is not inevitable. By raising our collective voice, we can influence local policymakers to seek alternative sites or methods that do not threaten the well-being of our community. We need greater investment in renewable energy solutions and urban planning that prioritizes the environment and the health of our residents.

Join me in urging the local authorities to reassess this decision. Our community deserves sustainable development that protects our resources and maintains our quality of life. By signing this petition, you are standing up for Everett and ensuring a healthier future for our families and neighbors.

Sign this petition to ban the construction of data centers in Everett, MA and demand a more sustainable approach to our community’s development.

The Decision Makers

Everett City Council
11 Members
1 Responded
Katy Rogers
Everett City Council - At Large
I am the councilor who is proposing the ban on data centers.
Michael Marchese
Everett City Council - At Large
Stephanie Smith
Everett City Council - At Large
James Tarr
James Tarr
Planning Board
Responded
I share many of the same concerns raised by Everett residents and members of the City Council, and I commend Planning Board member Stephanie McColaugh for her commitment and leadership on the issue. At this time, I fear that there are no appropriate state or federal regulatory guardrails that can ensure data centers, if built in Everett, do not cause long-term harmful impacts to public health, the ecology, the local economy, and the potential for all Everett residents - current and future - to thrive. I am certain there are appropriate uses for artificial intelligence in limited and specialized fields like healthcare, biotech research, etc., but it appears that the overarching drive of data centers have been to power AI most involved in exacerbating significant environmental crises and consumer energy price increases with little economic or social value for the vast majority of people. In my view, the most responsible thing we could do now would be to recommend the City Council add data centers to the list of banned uses in the City of Everett until appropriate regulatory standards are adopted by both the state and federal government. It would be far better to delay the construction of a good data center for a few years than to build a series of bad data centers quickly. At the very least, I would ask for a continuance on this matter until the next scheduled April Planning Board meeting. Best Jim
Robert Van Campen
Everett City Mayor
Frederick E. Cafasso
Frederick E. Cafasso
Planning Board
Leo Pizzano
Leo Pizzano
Planning Board

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Petition created on February 24, 2026