Hi everyone,

Welcome to the next newsletter for Stop Bad Data Centers.

Here's a compilation of useful resources, updates, and analysis of what’s working for communities confronting data center expansion.

If you’re new here, we’re really glad you found your way to this work. There are lots of incredible resources to share this week, so let's dig in.

This bi-weekly newsletter is a new project from Halt the Harm Network to provide an overview to all subscribers. For more regular updates and meetups, join the topic in Halt the Harm Network.

You can also view in your browser.

Trending Resources

Here's what's new in the Network Resources Library, a compilation of over 165+ curated reports, tools, and articles on data centers.

• ​Indiana AI Data Center Briefing Page — Citizen Action Coalition
• News: Entergy Louisiana Eyes 2.2 GW of New Gas-Fired Generation to Support Data Center Demand — POWER Magazine
• News: Ohio forces tech companies operating data centers to pay more —The Washington Post
• Research: Data Center Water Consumption —npj Clean Water

What We’re Following

FracTracker’s Data Centers Tracker

​FracTracker recently launched the Data Centers Tracker, the first open-access, facility-level dataset and mapping tool documenting the rapid build-out of AI and data center infrastructure across the United States.

The tracker can be downloaded, shared, and used by anyone (with credit to FracTracker). It integrates verified information from public records, permits, parcel data, FOIA responses, and media reports to provide transparent, real-time visibility into projects with major implications for energy demand, climate goals, and community health.

FracTracker is updating the tracker daily and crowdsourcing additional data from advocates. The map also includes practical, actionable information, like links to petitions and webpages for grassroots groups leading site fights, so new advocates can see where resistance is happening and plug in.

Considering the rapid scale and pace of expansion in data center development, this open source tool creates a shared space for organizers to share updates and information quickly.

Learn more about the tracker and explore the map here.

Report: Diesel Generators at Data Centers

Almost every proposed data center includes diesel backup generators, justified as a safeguard during power outages. But these engines can be used more often than “emergencies,” with real air quality consequences for nearby communities. A new Better Data Centers Project report breaks down how diesel generator permitting works and what to watch for in local approvals.

​Read the report here.​

New Polling: research on AI Data Centers, Costs, and Pollution

A new poll from Climate Power shows that voters are deeply concerned about the impact of data centers on their communities and on climate, with 48% saying that the costs outweigh the potential benefit.

​Find the poll here.​

Tracking Data Center Hearings by State

Tracking down information on data center hearings across every municipality can be overwhelming. Josephine Gingerich at PSR PA came up with a novel approach that uses Luma to crowd source event information from the public.

​Check out the Luma page here to view hearings for Pennsylvania, submit notice of an upcoming hearing, or subscribe to get updates.

Want to out something like this together for your state? Reply to this email and we'll put together a training that shows you how.

Event Recap

Catch up on the latest meetups to discuss effective points of intervention on data centers

Gateway 4—Tax Incentives and Other Subsidies

Halt the Harm network Fellow Tamara Saltman hosted the fourth session in our Stop Bad Data Centers Gateway Webinar Series on March 4.

This session focused on tax incentives and subsidy negotiations, where communities can intervene as states and local governments consider offering data centers deals like property tax abatements, sales tax exemptions, reduced utility rates, or infrastructure subsidies.

We discussed how these incentives are often paired with voluntary “community benefits” offers, but ultimately function as a way to swap enforceable tax revenue for a smaller, less accountable payment, reducing local control over how funds are used. Have info or questions about data center tax incentive issues? Email Tamara at tamara@halttheharm.net​

The next session in the Gateway Strategy series is March 18th on Finance Structuring and Credit Approvals.

​Register here.​

Events

Join an Upcoming Webinar or Meetup

Here are the events you'll find in the Halt the Harm Network. If you have an event to share, please reply or submit an event here.​

New Connections

How to get the most out of the network

One of the best parts of this network is how quickly people learn from each other. If you haven't looked recently, see the Ask the Network space to see what questions are being addressed.

If you have a moment this week, please hop into Halt the Harm Network and get familiar with the resources and community.

If you haven’t yet, fill out your profile so others can find and get to know you better. Introduce yourself, offer support, or sign up for an upcoming webinar.

Closing Comment

If you’ve got a guide, a recording, local intervention that worked, or anything else that could help other communities, we’d love to see it.

• Submit a resource anytime datacenters.halttheharm.net/submit-a-resource/​
• Share an event using this form https://tally.so/r/wd48yw?source=datacenters​
• Reply to this email with any feedback or contributions. We're here for it!

With appreciation,
Elissa and the HHN Team

Elissa Yoder ​Organizing Fellow, Halt the Harm Network ​View Profile​

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P.S. If you have on-the-ground stories or evidence about data center impacts, please reply.

One of my projects is to catalog and organize materials for the network, so reach out anytime.

We’re especially looking for what you’re seeing related to water, air, noise, and any concerns about chemicals and chemical storage on-site. These local details help other communities prepare and act earlier.