Joni Tschetter

On concerns about hyperscale data centers

Hyperscale data centers can cause major problems not only to the land, but the people and wildlife that live in the vicinity of them. Water pollution: Alarms have been raised in many areas of not only public water supplies being contaminated like in Cheyenne WY, but also in the streams and rivers close to the hyperscale data centers. PFAS contamination is not easily mitigated and is extremely detrimental to health. Noise pollution: The constant noise of the hyperscale data center is disturbing for humans. Not only can the high noise levels cause sleep deprivation, but the low frequency noise can provide physical discomfort to humans and wildlife. Environment: In South Dakota, we have prime farmland/pasture. The farmland and pastures are necessary for America's food stability and for its economy. Other issues that also have been reported and are still being researched are: Massive water consumption vs. the needs of nearby residents High Energy demand and how it affects the electric bills of nearby residents The effects of the noise pollution on farm animals Potential inability of resale and/or loss of property values of homeowners in the vicinity of hyperscale data centers Much information has been written about the above situations that arise from Hyperscale data centers. These issues can cause a decrease in quality of life and sometimes are irreversible.

How they’d address those concerns

I believe until we have concrete answers and sound solutions for these concerns, we should have a moratorium on the Hyperscale data centers here in South Dakota.