Data centers try to swoop their projects in so quickly that locals don't have time to respond. That's why now is a great opportunity to let our county officials know how we feel before the rush.
Northern Indiana DSA
@northernindianadsa.bsky.social
111 followers 16 following 138 posts
Democratic Socialist of America organizing in Northern Indiana (St. Joe, Elkhart, Kosciusko, and Marshall counties). northernindianadsa.org
![A poster reading "1 Lie 1 Truth. For more information on “closed loop”
cooling systems and how data centers
use SO MUCH water [scan the QR code]
WHP and their allies say...
a 24 million gallon per day (mgd) cap on new developments’
water usage is well below the safe yield of 44 mgd for the
Kankakee aquifer. And, it’s a “closed loop” cooling system so
the water will be recycled anyway!
But we looked at the report ourselves...
and that 44 mgd number they throw around fails to account for
the CURRENT withdrawal sources for the aquifer. The total safe
yield for the Core Development Area (CDA) is technically 49 mgd
but...
According to the report itself: “Existing groundwater
withdrawal rates within the CDA range between 21.7 and 28.1
mgd, which results in the remaining aquifer safe yield
capacity of 20.9 and 27.3. The remaining aquifer capacity is
calculated to apply to new development. Notice that 24 mgd is
higher than the lower limit of capacity when current withdrawal
rates are high. What is conspicuously not included in these
calculations is drought condition considerations.
Also note that this capacity range is for ALL new development,
including the GAM Battery Plant, the Amazon/Anthropic
development, and other potential industrial (data center)
sources. The more heavy industrial projects take a cut of the
pie, the more likely it is this “safe” withdrawal limit will be
exceeded.
Don’t fall for the buzzwords...
“Closed Loop Cooling” is not a magical water-saving
godsend. The “loop” in “closed loop” actually refers to
two loops. The inner loop, which circulates liquid to and
from the server chips, is closed (no liquid in, no liquid
out), BUT there is an outer loop that cycles OUT the hot
water to water cooling towers. How do they cool down the
hot water? Of course, most often, with an evaporative
water cooling method! Thus, consuming on average 60% of
the water they withdraw. Doesn’t sound “closed” to us."](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:vzrapmuf66elrnnpwocvqp3l/bafkreib6elhxzwlies5dvdxb6cc523yujcitodg26lucxwe534cnl6v6py)
![Poster reading: "NO MORE DATA CENTERS IN ST. JOSEPH CO.
CALL YOUR COUNCIL MEMBER AND TELL THEM TO VOTE NO!
Council Board Members
Joseph Thomas (R) District A Jthomas@sjcindiana.com 574-235-9659
Amy Drake (R) District B Adrake@sjcindiana.com 574-235-9658
Daniel Schaetzle (R) District C Dschaetzle@sjcindiana.com 574-298-6240
Jennifer Shabazz (D) District D Jshabazz@sjcindiana.gov 574-261-1007
Diana Hess (D) District E Dhess@sjcindiana.com 574-315-0714
Randall Figg (R) District F Rfigg@sjcindiana.com 574-240-8626
Mark Catanzarite (D) District G Mcatanzarite@sjcindiana.com 574-232-9112
Bryan Tanner (D) District H Btanner@sjcindiana.com 574-400-5277
Andy Rutten (R) District I Arutten@sjcindiana.gov 574-607-7014
PROTECT OUR WATER AND STOP RISING ENERGY BILLS!
WE NEED 5 VOTES AGAINST THE PROJECT TO STOP IT!
EMAIL ALL COUNCIL MEMBERS AND DEMAND THEY OPPOSE THE DATA CENTER!
Fax the council: 574-235-5022
Sample Script:
'Hello, My Name is [INSERT NAME] and I live at [INSERT ADDRESS]. I am highly concerned about the environmental impacts including wetland erasure, aquifer depletion, and energy usage. We also know these projects create noise pollution, and have very limited economic benefits. This project will also impact the planned aesthetics of the agricultural heritage of the New Carlisle area. Residents of the area stated these concerns many times at the Area Plan Commission meeting on September 16, leading to an unfavorable recommendation to the council. I encourage you to review the recording of that meeting and ultimately OPPOSE this project and any similar future projects. These projects do not benefit our communities in any meaningful way. Thank you for your time.'"](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:vzrapmuf66elrnnpwocvqp3l/bafkreibwqhuu262bmg27tkewhnyn5xt3ex6p4ht7i47pdwiadkhroc3ezm)
