The construction of a new data center in Henderson, North Carolina threatens our community's environment, resources, and overall quality of life. While the economic benefits are touted by proponents, the long-term impacts could be detrimental to our region.

One of the primary concerns is the environmental impact that such a facility would have. Data centers consume vast amounts of energy, leading to increased carbon emissions and putting a strain on the local power grid. According to a 2020 report from the International Energy Agency, data centers account for approximately 1% of global electricity use and are growing in energy intensity each year. In a community where sustainable practices are valued, facilitating a project that could significantly increase our carbon footprint is misplaced. Moreover, such facilities require significant water usage for cooling systems, impacting local water resources, which in turn could affect the local ecosystem and agriculture.

Also noteworthy is the potential for increased noise pollution and traffic congestion. Data centers operate continuously, 24/7, creating noise from equipment that could disturb nearby residential areas. In addition, the construction and operation phases could result in hefty traffic, leading to wear and tear on our roads and increased disruption for local residents.

Plans for the data center have not been transparent, and community members have been left in the dark on key aspects, such as the possible tax breaks or incentives provided to the companies involved, and possible mitigations for negative community impacts. The absence of open discussion and dialogue with residents raises questions about whose interests are truly being served.

We need to urge local authorities to reconsider this project.

Please join us in raising your voice against the construction of this data center in Henderson. Sign this petition to protect our community.