Data center moratorium

A one-year Keene resident with 30 years in the data center industry warned about generator noise, diesel exhaust, water use, discounted power deals that raise residential rates, and Keene's lack of heavy fiber connectivity — and questioned whether large data centers would ever come here.

An East Keene resident said the moratorium is about figuring things out, not stopping progress; he asked what the community value would be and raised concerns about water use and noise.

Listed concerns about electricity costs downshifted to residents, water pressure loss, constant generator noise, air pollution, property values, and few permanent jobs; she'd prefer an outright ban but supports the moratorium.

A fisherman worried that pulling water from local watersheds for cooling, plus pollutants and constant noise, could cripple fragile local ecosystems that outdoorsmen depend on.

Argued Keene's bowl-like valley traps noise and pollution, that data centers eliminate rather than create jobs, and urged the city not to let companies steamroll in under the banner of progress.

A member of the National Association of Counties energy committee described a federal executive order fast-tracking data center permitting, rising electric bills in Maryland and DC, and NACo's push to protect local regulatory authority.