Data, HEAT, and Bombs
Is anyone in South Dakota discussing the environmental impact of data centers?
There is increasing concern about the environmental impact of data centers. For example, Utah scientists fear the proposed Stratos Project would generate enough heat to alter temperatures, strain wildlife, and intensify environmental threats around the Great Salt Lake.
In fact, Utah State University physicist Robert Davies calculates the daily energy output from Stratos would be equivalent to detonating 23 atomic bombs. The immense heat would be concentrated in a desert basin that naturally traps air, likely transforming the local climate into a “heat island”.
There are two hyperscale data centers (supposedly, but those are out of date so who knows) currently moving forward in South Dakota, one in Deuel County and one inside the city limits of Sioux Falls (with rumblings that other locations are under consideration). While neither location is in a desert both are in farming regions and one is inside a city. The one in Sioux Falls is very close to several neighborhoods. Has anyone considered the impact to the neighborhoods and have there been any unbiased studies on how these centers might impact farm production (both crops and livestock)? After all agriculture is a $21 billion business in South Dakota. One has to wonder if it would be wise to charge ahead with something that might have a significant impact on the economy in our state.
People say we shouldn’t compare the data centers in Sioux Falls and Deuel County to what is proposed for Utah, but that’s where your mind goes when city and county governments are approving zoning and other changes without any disclosures. The people of Sioux Falls still have no idea what is proposed for the Gemini property. Environmental impact studies are normally required for operations that have this type of heat load. Is there some reason we are not requiring these studies before approvals are granted?
What’s your take? Does something seem a bit fishy to you?
The old song:
"You don't know what you've got 'til it's gone...."
We're destroying this pretty little blue planet, slowly in terms of human time but quickly in geological time. Humans are shortsighted and ours society is unsustainable.
Unfortunately too many people in power want to make money off of the data centers. The tech billionaires are pushing their propoganda that we need to embrace AI and that will increase the need for data centers. Why do we NEED AI? It may make jobs easier but that's a 'want' not a need. I think it's going to dumb down our population much like social media has because when you start trusting what you see online then you can be easily misled. Many people in power want to use it for surveillance on our citizens. Dusty was pushing AI and data centers and I think that is one reason he lost. Those pushing it say we need it to keep up and get ahead of China. What we need to do is Stop SPENDING MONEY ON WARS!!. When was the last time China spent money on a war? They have invested THEIR money in infrastructure, technology, medicine and education for their people.
Also we do have several smaller data centers already around Sioux Falls. I'm ok with the smaller data centers, it's the huge data centers that take up acres of land that I don't like. talk to people who already live by them and who know what the long term consequences will be.
Educate yourself and actively talk to your representatives.