SIGN THE PETITION: STOP THE DATA CENTER LAND GRAB

Across the country, massive data center projects are being pushed through before local communities know the full cost.

These projects can consume enormous amounts of electricity, water, land, and public resources. They can affect green space, wildlife, neighborhoods, electric bills, tax policy, and local control. Yet too often, residents are left in the dark while developers, utilities, lobbyists, investors, and public officials negotiate behind closed doors.

That has to stop.

We are calling for a national moratorium on new data center projects unless and until basic public protections are in place.

WE DEMAND:

1. 1. LOCAL VETO POWER

   No data center project should move forward unless the affected local community has the right to approve or reject it.

2. 2. FULL PUBLIC NOTICE AND HEARINGS

   Projects cannot be rushed through zoning boards, planning commissions, utility processes, or state agencies without meaningful public notice, public hearings, and time for residents to respond.

3. 3. TRANSPARENCY ON LAND, GREEN SPACE, AND WILDLIFE IMPACTS

   Developers must disclose the project's effect on green space, farmland, forests, wetlands, wildlife habitat, stormwater, noise, and surrounding neighborhoods.

4. 4. DISCLOSURE OF WATER USAGE AND WATER IMPACT

   The public has a right to know how much water a project will use, where that water will come from, what stress it will place on local systems, and what impact it may have on residents, farms, rivers, lakes, aquifers, and future development.

5. 5. DISCLOSURE OF ELECTRICITY DEMAND AND PRICE IMPACT

   Developers and utilities must disclose how much electricity a project will require, what new infrastructure is needed, who will pay for it, and whether households and small businesses will face higher electric bills.

6. 6. NO SECRECY AGREEMENTS FOR PUBLIC OFFICIALS

   Public officials should not be allowed to sign non-disclosure agreements or secrecy agreements that hide project details from the people they represent.

7. 7. FULL DISCLOSURE OF TAX BREAKS AND PUBLIC SUBSIDIES

   Any tax abatements, exemptions, credits, grants, infrastructure spending, discounted utility rates, or other public benefits must be fully disclosed before approval.

8. 8. DISCLOSURE OF LOBBYING AND POLITICAL DONATIONS

   Developers, utilities, contractors, consultants, investors, and related entities must disclose lobbying activity and political donations connected to data center projects.

9. 9. DISCLOSURE OF INVESTORS AND CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

   The public has a right to know who is financially backing these projects and whether any public officials, utilities, consultants, or decision-makers have conflicts of interest.

10. 10. NO APPROVALS UNTIL THE FACTS ARE PUBLIC

    No project should be approved until communities have complete information about the costs, benefits, risks, subsidies, environmental effects, utility impacts, and financial interests involved.