“Data centers use a lot of water and will drain aquifers and make wells go dry”
Not all data centers use water, and those that do have a wide spectrum of systems available to maximize efficiency. Indiana is also part of the Great Lakes Compact, which imposes additional regulations to protect water sources.
Consider this: The water use of an average hybrid data center system is comparable to farm irrigation.
In 2023, all data centers in the U.S. used only 3% what US golf courses used for irrigation.
“Low-frequency noises are going to drive me crazy”
Indiana abides by EPA recommendations, which state day-night noise levels should be less than 55 dBA at receptors (like a home or a school). This is between a refrigerator and an air conditioner level of noise.
Noise is studied as part of data center developments. For outdoor equipment like chillers and generators, examples of noise mitigation includes equipment selection, berms, and noise walls.
“Data centers will hog all the power and cause rolling brown-outs (power outages).”
The power transmission grid is actually strengthened with data center funded improvements.
“My power bills will go up because of data centers”
Rate increases due to data centers are not likely. Data centers are in their own rate class with the utility to keep rates separate and unaffected.
“Electromagnetic fields (EMF) from data centers will affect my health”
EMFs generated by high-voltage transmission lines servicing a data center are within the non-ionizing range. These are the same types of emissions that come from Wi-Fi routers and household electronics. World Health Organization (WHO), states these low-frequency EMF exposures are far below the levels that affect humans.
“Data center emissions will pollute my air and affect my health”
Not all data centers use diesel generators. If they do, they are used for back-up purposes if the primary source of power is compromised due to an unusual event, like a natural disaster. Back-up diesel generators run for about 15 hours per year (~0.17% of the time) and are subject to strict state and/or Federal requirements, permitting and reporting.
“They are secretive and hiding facts from us”
A data center is no different than any other land development project.
Typically, all development projects undergo a significant stage of due diligence and coordination with local community leadership to determine if a project is even feasible. More studies, facts, and assessment come out over time as a proposal takes shape.