Michael Sauers
June 9, 2025
The lunatics who are foisting data centers on us to support their version of a digital economy are attempting to control the future. Has anyone asked you about this plan? Probably not. Why not? They are control freaks in need of a community civic conversation. They need to face the public and the public needs to do its homework!
Alternatives exist including a discussion about the need for these huge data centers. Systems such as colocation services, cloud computing, hybrid cloud solutions, edge computing, fog computing, distributed ledger technology/blockchain, serverless computing and micro data centers/modular data centers exist but they are rarely discussed. Which of these individually, in combination, or not at all is used depends on several factors; requirement/needs, how much data needs to be utilized, latency needs, security and government oversite and regulations. These are all evolving. Where is the public input? Stay tuned.
Huge data centers are mind numbing disasters that negate their use for powering modern technology and supporting our digital world. They have serious environmental and societal impacts. For example;
They use massive quantities of energy much of which comes from fossil fuels (coal, oil, gas). Think greenhouse gases and climate change. Given the evidence of climate change directly related to fossil fuels, it seems that proponents of data centers are acting from greed alone. All else be dammed.
They require massive quantities of water. This strains local water resources.
They produce large quantities of e-waste that ends up in landfills.
They create significant noise pollution.
They strain local resources.
They create few jobs.
They lack transparency.
They devastate wildlife habitat.
They are a visual blight.
They change land use plans.
They divide communities.
They create security risks.
There is more but I think the point has been made.
One of these may be coming to a neighborhood near you. Get ready to ask lots of questions. Do some research.
PS Salem Township near Berwick