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Petition to Protect Shasta County by Prohibiting New AI Data Centers

Petition Target:  Shasta County Board of Supervisors,  Redding City Council, Anderson City Council, Shasta Lake  City Council and all City and County Planning Commissioners and pertinent county officials.

Petition Description:  We, the undersigned residents, property owners, and business owners of Shasta County, respectfully urge our City and County Leaders to adopt local ordinances prohibiting the construction and operation of new artificial intelligence (AI) data centers within Shasta County.

Although there have been no known attempts to locate an AI Data Center in Shasta County yet, we feel that with our water and open space it may be only a matter of time and that there is a need for preemptive action. Data Centers are known to make secretive deals with communities, and it's much harder to stop them once they have a foot in the door. Often, they lay foundations for the development before communities are aware. There are already numerous Data Centers in California, but many communities are rising up and stopping them.

We believe Shasta County should prioritize long-term stewardship of its natural resources over industrial AI infrastructure.

Our core concerns include:

•  Energy Demand: AI data centers require enormous amounts of electricity, often necessitating new transmission infrastructure and increased power generation. High likelihood of increased rates on local’s energy bills. Residents deserve assurance that local ratepayers and existing businesses will not bear disproportionate costs associated with serving these facilities.
•  Water Resources: Data Centers consume huge amounts of water to cool down their systems. California already faces recurring droughts and increasing pressure on water supplies. We need our water for humans, wildlife, and agriculture.
• Community Character & Land Use: Shasta County's economy depends upon recreation, tourism, agriculture, and small businesses. Many residents chose this region because of its rural environment, natural beauty, and slower pace of life. Large industrial campuses and complexes do not align with the community's long-term vision.
• Public Health: Increased pollution, constant noise.
• Local Decision-Making: Residents should have meaningful opportunities to participate in land-use decisions that could permanently alter the county's future. Any proposal of this scale should receive thorough public review and transparent environmental analysis.

Our Request:  We respectfully request that the Shasta County Board of Supervisors, the City of Redding, the City of Anderson, the City of Shasta Lake and all City and Planning Commissioners and County Officials take immediate action to:

• Prohibit the development of new AI-focused data centers within Shasta County and its incorporated city limits.
  Amend county and municipal zoning regulations to prevent AI data center development in all zones (agricultural, residential, commercial, and industrial zones).
• Protect local groundwater, surface water, and electrical infrastructure from large industrial demands associated with AI computing facilities.
• Preserve agricultural land, open space, wildlife habitat, and scenic landscapes.
• Promote economic development that creates diverse, long-term employment while preserving the county's rural character.

The decisions made today will shape Shasta County for generations. We ask our elected officials to place the protection of our communities, natural resources, and quality of life at the forefront of future planning.

Please sign this petition to protect our land, our resources, and our way of life.