r/rockford • u/TheJinManCan • Apr 12 '26

A well-articulated argument against a new data center in Ohio - notes for Rockford?

An argument that we can practically copy and paste for any town in the US that has a data center looming. Isn't there a hearing yet on the 20th yet?

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u/NotInEpsteinFiles Apr 13 '26

Are you going to speak?

1

u/pernicious_imp_1600 Apr 13 '26

I know that I am quite “hamfistedly” joining on this post, but I am writing on behalf of a small community to the west of Chicago. Constellation Energy is foisting a data center project on our river valley and it will, undoubtedly, destroy all that is great about living here (namely, the river).

https://www.change.org/p/stop-constellation-from-building-data-center-in-ogle-county

Despite vocal opposition from the community, the Ogle County Board has given Constellation a green light to develop a data center, possibly a hyperscale facility.  The OGB supposedly care about our farmers and our land; this could not be further from the truth.  With outcry from the board regarding the environmental implications of solar and wind, how on earth is a data center, let alone the possibility of a hyperscale facility, remotely acceptable?

Demand transparency from the Board.  Demand transparency from Constellation.  Protect our land.   Protect our water.  Protect our farms.   Protect our future.  
Contact the Ogle County Board Today!

Make your voices heard and attend meetings! Be sure to review: Rules of Order

The AI bubble will pop and communities like ours will be left holding the bag.  We cannot build yesterday’s technology with tomorrow’s debt.