HB1739

Nobody wants to live near a data center

Data centers have shown no material BENEFIT to the public, to the states or communities that they are constructed and operated within. The technology demands a tremendous amount of water, and New Hampshire is already grappling with drought conditions through much of the state. Additionally there is a significantly increased burden on energy, which will affect not only the supply but the cost to the residents of New Hampshire,, and would disproportionately affect the environment and the health of the surrounding communities. These data centers do not create a lasting nor significant employment opportunity, tax revenue, or benefit to the public, and should not be allowed to operate in our state. I strongly oppose this legislation, and I urge you to do the same.

Many existing data centers are located in low income and marginalized communities intensifying existing health disparities through pollution burden and water consumption and contamination.

I am very seriously opposed to this bill, and as someone who works in the data storage industry, I know how harmful these data centers can be to the communities they barge into. There are not only negative health and environmental impacts, but downstream negative economic impacts to the people in the surrounding communities as well as the whole state. We are already seeing these issues with data centers all over the US where regular residential customers are burdened with cost-sharing for the power necessary to run the centers. Opening the door for this in our state would hurt the environment, the communities, and the overall well-being of New Hampshire residents.

I understand Data Centers employ very few people.

This is a terrible idea. If you’re looking to open up more jobs in the state, it’s back to the drawing board for you. Let’s pick a more ethical industry and stop giving tax breaks to corporations and large businesses instead of the people of NH that are already struggling and footing much of the states budget. Passing this bill is a great way to speed up the process of AI replacing peoples jobs. You know, the same people you claim to represent .