Open to growth opportunities while maintaining respect for existing neighbors

Seeks expert advice on long term consequences to water, wildlife, and environment

Is able to provide transparency by speaking about the various interests and factors under scrutiny 

Listens with an open mind

Seeks factual information

Knows the world is not black and white

Thinks for themselves

Chooses problem solving over virtue signaling 

Remembers the people who are too busy working to come to the meeting

The boom in data center construction nationwide reminds us of the proper role of  government. Without thoughtful planning and zoning, without regard for resource management, environmental protection, and the health and well-being of residents, data centers are earning a reputation as terrible neighbors.

Data centers must not be built close to homes. The permitting process must be as transparent as possible, allowing time for public notification, impact studies, and public comment. Particularly when living through a drought, people rightly want to know how a large facility will affect the local water supply. Living with inflation, people want to know how adding a large consumer of natural gas or electricity will affect their utility rates. What about pollution? What about noise, particularly low frequency noise, how far does it travel? What carefully written regulations would protect residents, while also helping developers with their planning and design by clearly communicating  non-negotiable limits?

A well planned, properly sited data center can bring economic activity, construction jobs, and long-term maintenance jobs. Developers of large projects  who understand the importance of establishing safe working conditions, fair and consistent wages for well-defined crafts, and procedures for addressing disputes and grievances at the outset are able to minimize disruptions and misunderstandings, keeping the project on schedule and minimizing cost overruns. Building man camps brings many questions and concerns from nearby residents. Hiring qualified local contractors and craftspeople, even if the size of the project requires some travelers to help man the job, goes a long way in maintaining goodwill in the community,  ensuring that local residents share in the economic benefits.

Government must work for the people. If a project is likely to damage the community, a representative government says no. Well written regulations can actually speed up economic development by communicating information about the feasibility of a project before money and time is spent on planning for an unsuitable location.