Data center health worries animate midterm campaigns
Opposition to the rapid emergence of data centers in states such as Ohio and Arizona has ginned up activism and unified voters. A range of public health issues have played into the resistance.
Page, Arizona — Doug Herrera, 64, remains in the home his father constructed, despite his father's passing from cancer many years ago. Herrera expresses concern that nearby uranium mining may have contributed to his father's illness. Now, he fears a proposed $10 billion data center could jeopardize his health.
"I'm a patriot, but I'm highly against the data center," Herrera stated from his front porch, where a sign reads "No Data Centers." He cites light, sound, and temperature pollution as his main concerns.
The City Council recently approved the sale of land for the data center, but the developer still requires zoning and additional approvals. Residents have signed petitions and formed groups to protest the construction. The rapid growth of data centers is becoming a contentious issue in local politics, particularly in the upcoming midterm elections.
The situation is a flashpoint in the race for Arizona's 1st Congressional District, with leading candidates disagreeing on the issue. The state's attorney general has called for a temporary halt on new approvals and building. Emerging research into potential health effects of data centers is fueling opposition, putting even incumbent politicians in vulnerable positions in reliably red states like Ohio and Texas, where several megabuildings already exist.
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- Data Center Health Worries Animate Midterm Campaigns kffhealthnews.org
