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Ty Gorman, Senior Strategist, Sierra Club Beyond Coal Campaign
Last month, Trump said "The only reason that communities throughout the U.S.A. should not want Data Centers is if they want to end up being backwards and poor. If they want to be successful and rich…let Data Reign." and have spoken up at County Commission meetings around Kansas. They agree with Sierra Club and our allied organizations: data centers need strong guardrails before they should be allowed in to our communities.
Across the country, Sierra Club and our partners have helped win new state policies that protect customers and communities -- including rates that make sure data centers are paying their own way, transparency requirements, and new ways for technology companies to invest in clean energy in states like Oregon, Missouri, Michigan, Nevada, and Virginia.
The first step is often to demand a moratorium. Key provisions of the order should include the demands of the WEALTH coalition.
Data centers would have 24/7 clean energy and water requirements, and have to address cumulative pollution impacts of backup generators and coolant.
Nondisclosure agreements with public agencies are prohibited, and a new visual state permit tracking should will be launched.
No state permits will be issued until all local zoning and planning permits are secured (example consent order), requiring clean air and water, using EPC surety bonds.
Limit the use of fossil fuel generation to support the data centers, expedite permitting for zero-emission energy and storage facilities, and curtail data centers that don't bring their own clean energy capacity to prevent shifting data center costs onto other customers.
Given the growing public outcry over data center development, any politician wanting to keep their office this election may see past support as a potential poison pill in November and beyond.
Sierra Club and our allies have been working for over a year to educate about data center impacts on utility bills and the environment, and have turned that education into advocacy in the form of public hearing testimony, media, and numerous legislative contacts. Please reach out (ty.gorman@sierraclub.org) if you have any questions or would like to get involved fighting for clean energy in Kansas.
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