Every data center project moves through the same seven stages, from site selection to ongoing operations. Each one is a place where a community can intervene, if you know what to look for.
Starting Wednesday, May 6, leaders across the network are meeting every other Wednesday on Zoom to walk through the seven gateways, share what’s working, and refine practical strategies any community can use. Join one session, all seven, or whichever ones map to where your fight is right now.
→ See the working session events on stopbaddatacenters.org (datacenters.halttheharm.net/events)
A few notes if you’re on the fence:
- Each session stands alone. You don’t have to commit to the full series. Come to the next one and decide from there.
- Not sure what stage your project is in? Bring the question. Helping you place it is part of the work.
- Just getting involved? Welcome. The leaders sharing experience here were also new to this not long ago. Your questions sharpen the sessions for everyone.
- About the network profile. Sessions run inside the Halt the Harm Network forum. If you don’t have an account yet, you’ll create one in a couple of minutes when you register. Reply to this email if you hit any trouble.
Data Center Gateways
Every other Wednesday, on Zoom
Each session focuses on one stage every data center project moves through, with shared resources and on-the-ground experience from people working in that gateway right now.
- Site Selection and Land Use, May 6
- Power and Utility Interconnection, May 20
- Water Rights and Environmental Permits, June 3
- Tax Incentive Negotiations, June 17
- Financial Structuring and Credit Approvals, July 1
- Construction and Operational Permits, July 15
- Oversight and Watchdogging, July 29
See all on here, https://luma.com/hhn
A new section of the website is aggregating information and resources for each gateway. Learn more at stopbaddatacenters.org
WORKING SESSION
Gateway 1: Site Selection & Land Use
The first step for any data center project is choosing where it will go. At this stage, companies and agencies are dealing with:
- Zoning and land use decisions
- Buying or assembling land
- Early permit applications and approvals
This is a facilitated Zoom session for people on the front lines of these fights or preparing for them. We’ll share on-the-ground experience, tools, and resources, and work together to refine a set of practical strategies any community can use.
The Bad Data Centers Project is launching to support people responding to new or proposed data center projects, asking how these facilities affect energy use, water, and local pollution, and finding concrete ways to intervene before deals are locked in.
These sessions are for people tracking a data center proposal in their region, working with a local group concerned about land use, water, or energy impacts, or trying to understand where and how to intervene early in the process.
Looking forward to seeing you there,
Elissa Yoder
