Living in the beautiful landscape of Tuolumne County, in the heart of Northern California, has always been a privilege. From the Sierra Nevada mountains to the serene tranquility of our lakes and forests, this place is our sanctuary, a gem of natural beauty that we cherish and want to protect. However, the proposal to build data centers in our county threatens this treasured environment and the quality of life we've fought to maintain.

Our small community is deeply concerned about the potential impacts that these data centers will bring. Firstly, these facilities are known to be massive consumers of water—a resource that is already limited and essential to both our ecosystems and agriculture. In a region that frequently faces drought conditions, diverting water to data centers is both unsustainable and dangerous. According to data by the US Geological Survey, data centers can use millions of gallons of water per day, impacting not only local residents but also the flora and fauna dependent on this resource.

Additionally, data centers require enormous amounts of electricity to operate 24/7. This increased demand could lead to rising electricity rates for local residents. The strain on our energy infrastructure could result in more frequent outages, detrimental to both businesses and households that rely on consistent power. According to the US Department of Energy, data centers account for about 2% of total U.S. electricity use—a percentage that we cannot afford to see increase in Tuolumne.

The environmental toll doesn't stop there. The emissions and heat generated by these centers are likely to contribute to air and thermal pollution, further degrading our natural surroundings. With the region's reliance on tourism and recreation, any negative environmental impact could have broad economic repercussions, affecting jobs and community welfare.

We demand transparency from local officials on why data centers are being prioritized over our environmental and social well-being. It is imperative that the planning process involves community input and that alternate sites that do not have such devastating impacts are considered.

We, the residents of Tuolumne County, are calling on local leaders, lawmakers, and stakeholders to listen to our concerns and halt plans for data center developments. Instead, let's invest in projects that align with sustainability goals, preserve our natural resources, and truly benefit our community.

Please join us in protecting the unique and cherished environment of Tuolumne County by signing this petition. Together, we can ensure our voices are heard and our home is preserved for future generations.