Data Centers in America

What's wrong with Data Centers? 

 I'm happy to let AI give it to us straight:

"People oppose data centers primarily due to their massive consumption of electricity and water, which increases local utility costs and strains infrastructure.  In areas like Virginia, proposed AI data centers have sparked resistance because they could require power equivalent to entire states, leading to higher electricity bills and potential blackouts. Residents report reduced water pressure, unsafe water quality, and constant noise from cooling systems and backup generators, especially when resources are prioritized for data centers over homes. 

Additionally, data centers are seen as extractive developments that offer minimal long-term local benefits.  They create few permanent jobs—often only a handful of on-site staff—while receiving significant tax incentives. The lack of tangible community returns, combined with the visual and environmental impact of large, industrial buildings, fuels a strong "Not In My Backyard" sentiment.  Despite their critical role in supporting digital services and AI, many communities feel they bear the costs while tech giants and distant users reap the benefits."

What impact do data centers have on cows and wildlife?

Here's what AI has to say:

 "Data centers and cows have been linked in anecdotal reports, particularly in rural or suburban areas where large facilities are built near agricultural land. Residents and farmers have reported that the low-frequency hum or drone from data center cooling systems—especially from large fans, chillers, and backup generators—can disrupt livestock, including cows. 

• Low-frequency noise and animal behavior: Cows, like many animals, are sensitive to vibrations and low-frequency sounds. The persistent hum from data center equipment, often in the 50–100 Hz range, can travel long distances and may cause stress, reduced milk production, or altered grazing patterns in cattle.
• Case example: In Loudoun County, Virginia—home to over 199 data centers—some residents have reported that wildlife, including birds and possibly livestock, have disappeared or avoided areas near data centers, potentially due to noise pollution. 
• Scientific insight: While direct studies on cows and data center noise are limited, research into low-frequency noise (LFN) and tonal noise (such as the "whoosh" of fans or engine vibrations) shows these can be highly disruptive to animals. The aerodynamic interactions of fan impellers and rotational machinery in cooling systems are primary sources of such noise. 
• Mitigation: Noise control strategies like acoustic barriers, sound-absorbing materials, and optimized fan design can reduce noise levels.  However, low-frequency hums are especially difficult to attenuate with standard soundproofing and often require specialized engineering solutions. 

In short, while data centers are not inherently designed to harm animals, their noise—particularly low-frequency drones—can affect nearby livestock, including cows, prompting concern among farmers and residents."

We have enough data centers in ND already.  

It's my opinion that we certainly don't need to give them any incentives to come here. 

What are the dangers of Carbon Pipelines? 

Carbon dioxide is colorless, odorless, and heavier than air.  In the event of a rupture, the plume of gas hugs the ground, moves like a thick fog, and settles into low-lying areas and valleys.  Because it displaces oxygen, exposure to high concentrations can cause suffocation and loss of consciousness within minutes.  

In the event of a pipeline rupture, escape can be extremely difficult. Gas-powered vehicles rely on oxygen for combustion, meaning engines may stall in areas with high CO₂ concentrations. Emergency response vehicles face the same limitation, complicating rescue efforts.

There are currently about 5,000 miles of carbon pipelines operating in the United States. Over a 10-year period, there were 62 reported ruptures. While many occurred in unpopulated areas, serious incidents affected communities in Mississippi in 2020 and Louisiana in 2024.

 Why are Carbon Pipelines "needed"?

 The Inflation Reduction Act, signed by Joe Biden in 2022, expanded federal tax incentives for carbon capture and pipeline infrastructure. Supporters argue that carbon pipelines are essential for advancing climate goals.  When power plants capture carbon dioxide emissions and transport them for storage, they are considered to be reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Some estimates suggest that between 30,000 and 96,000 miles of additional carbon pipelines should be built by 2050 to meet net-zero emissions targets.

Click the YouTube link below to hear testimony from the people who nearly died in a pipeline rupture in Mississippi.  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yGIXeWktiWU

Here is another video, published by RFK Jr.: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=llcvrKDJRo0

There isn't any amount of money that would make me want to raise a family near a carbon pipeline.   

I oppose the use of eminent domain, government subsidies, or other incentives to expand CO₂ pipeline infrastructure in North Dakota.