Not much, unfortunately! Like other data center developments popping up across the country, this project has been shrouded in secrecy. Signing non-disclosure agreements and refusing to share water consumption estimates with the public is an established part of the playbook for some of the big tech companies behind these huge projects. Thanks to some hard-working journalists, we are learning more about the natural resource impacts of this project.
The annual electric power consumption of the project when completed will be 1200 mw. Developers say that power will be provided by Alabama Power, which generates more than 2/3 of its electricity using dirty fossil fuels.
The daily water use requested by the developers from Warrior River Water Authority is estimated to be 2 million gallons a day (at least). It’s unclear whether this request covers just the first phase of development, or if it represents the total water use – per day. Other estimates for a 1200 MW data center indicate the average one could use more than 10 million gallons per day.
The area of forest that the City of Bessemer is considering rezoning for this project, which abuts dozens of homes in unincorporated Jefferson County, is 700 acres of land.
The newly discovered Birmingham darter (Etheostoma birminghamense) lives downstream from the proposed site. Dr. Thomas Near of Yale University, who discovered this new species, says that soil disturbance associated with construction could doom the species to extinction. Its discovery is so recent that the fish has not had the time to go through the process that would give it protection under the Endangered Species Act.
ARA, along with many of our partners and residents of the Bessemer and McCalla areas, believe that there are simply too few facts and too many questions for this project to go forward in its current form. Stay tuned for next action steps!
November 18 at 9 am – Bessemer City Council meeting at City Hall (1700 3rd Avenue North in Bessemer) in the upstairs council chambers. THIS WILL BE THE VOTE TO ALLOW FOR PROJECT MARVEL IN BESSEMER. Make plans now to be there and WEAR RED to show your opposition!
