Manchester, NH — Documents and plans regarding a proposed data center in Bow must be released to the public immediately, says Stefany Shaheen, Democratic candidate for Congress in New Hampshire’s First District, who is calling for a moratorium on data centers in the state. Shaheen is raising concerns over news reports that the project has been under discussion by state and federal officials who have failed to inform Granite Staters.
“The people of New Hampshire have a right to know what is being built in their own backyard, especially when it involves a project of this scale that could impact their water quality, electric rates, and quality of life,” said Shaheen. “It’s clear from reporting by New Hampshire Public Radio that the New Hampshire Department of Energy, the Federal Energy Regulator Commission, Eversource and Granite Shore Power have been discussing this project for some time without sharing any details with Granite Staters. That’s unacceptable.”
“We cannot allow data centers to drain or pollute our water resources, contaminate our air with diesel exhaust, and hike up utility bills for hardworking families for the benefit of the AI and crypto industries. A moratorium is needed to make sure the people of New Hampshire and their communities get the information they need to make the best possible decisions. I will always advocate for our communities first,” said Shaheen.
Specifically, Shaheen is calling for information to be shared about:
- How much power the project will consume, and the impact on electric rates for families and local businesses?
- What are the risks for PFAS or other contamination linked to the facility’s water usage, cooling systems, and wastewater discharge?
- How much water will this data center consume with what impact on local water supply?
- What are the on-site power generation plans, specifically whether the facility will rely on diesel generators that would degrade local air quality and introduce hazardous emissions into nearby neighborhoods?
- Data centers in other locations have created unacceptable noise levels, degrading the quality of life in communities. What will the impact be here?
- When will the people of New Hampshire have the opportunity to raise their concerns and share feedback on this project?
“Cancer-causing PFAS have already been found in our local water supply in communities across the state. I know firsthand the pain that it causes, the harm it does to a community’s health and safety,” said Shaheen, who, as a member of the Portsmouth City Council, raised the alarm about PFAS contamination, demanding and gaining testing to protect local water supplies.
Shaheen is calling on the New Hampshire Department of Energy, the Consumer Advocate, and the developers to immediately publish all site plans, environmental projections, grid impact studies and additional information about the project so the public can properly evaluate this proposed data center project.
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