Updates on our Progress to Pause the AI Data Center

Over 1,100 concerned citizens (that's you and your neighbors!) want common-sense questions and concerns to be addressed before Trumbull decides whether hosting an AI Data Center is in the town's best interest. 

We have the attention of First Selectman Tesoro who released a statement on the issue.

We responded with the letter copied below. We also presented a similar statement, as well as this petition, at last night's Town Council meeting. You can view the meeting here.

In short, this is a step in the right direction but does not fully address our concerns about the risks of an AI Data Center in Trumbull. Please continue to share this petition, contact state and local officials with your concerns, and stay up-to-date with us on Facebook. 

July 12th Response to First Selectman Tesoro's Statement, Sent to The Office of the First Selectman, The Town Council, and the Planning and Zoning Commission:

We’d like to thank First Selectman Tesoro for her statement and for recognizing the significant public interest surrounding the proposed AI Data Center at 80 Merritt Boulevard.

We appreciate your commitment to keeping residents informed and are encouraged by your intention to hold a public meeting after additional information has been gathered. We also welcome your plan to invite the property’s new ownership team to present information about the project.

Our request, however, extends beyond a public informational meeting.

We continue to believe that a joint public meeting of the Town Council and Planning & Zoning Commission is the appropriate forum for this discussion; along with an opportunity for residents to ask questions. The issues extend well beyond a single development proposal and involve land use, electric infrastructure, water supply, wastewater capacity, public health, environmental impacts, municipal finances, and Trumbull’s future planning.

We feel it is imperative that the discussion include more than the applicant and provide equal time for a variety of perspectives, ensuring that the Town receives a comprehensive picture of the possibilities, challenges, and alternatives. Representatives from PURA, United Illuminating, Aquarion, the WPCA system operators, appropriate municipal departments, and other independent experts can provide objective information that is not specific to any one proposal. Many of these broader questions can be addressed now and would help town officials, appointed boards and commissions, and residents better understand both the opportunities and the challenges presented by AI Data Centers so they can provide informed input before future decisions are made.

Accordingly, we respectfully request that no discretionary land use approvals or other municipal actions that would materially advance a new or expanded AI Data Center be taken until after this joint public meeting has been held and our elected officials, appointed boards and commissions, and residents have had the opportunity to hear from all relevant experts, ask questions, and consider the information presented.
We appreciate your efforts to gather accurate information and look forward to working together toward a discussion that is comprehensive, transparent, and informative.

Sincerely,
Sherry, Sarah, and Richard