EDITOR’S NOTE: The following is a list of questions residents in another state submitted to Microsoft where there are plans to install data centers:
We are writing to express our concerns about Microsoft’s purchase of megapark in our county.
County officials stated they negotiated with Microsoft for 18 months beforehand, however, during that time residents were not informed about specific plans for that land. Yet, a representative of the American Petroleum Institute, in a slide presentation to state lawmakers, labels the megapark as a data center, and Microsoft and the county announced that the site would be a data center.
We do deserve a say over decisions that will impact our lives. We do deserve transparency.
Below is a list of questions for Microsoft and the County Board of Commissioners. Response to these questions is critical for farmers, school children, elders, businesses and homeowners. Prompt replies will open a dialogue that must continue as long as Microsoft may operate in our community. This is an opportunity for Microsoft to demonstrate what kind of a neighbor they will be to our community.
Questions about the proposed facility:
1.) What is Microsoft planning for the megapark? What will it be used for?
2.) Why did a gas lobbyist seem to know more about plans for our county than we did?
3.) Will Microsoft be offering any jobs? How many? Will any go to current residents?
4.)What kind of incentives and investment of taxpayer dollars is Microsoft receiving? How much will Microsoft pay in property taxes to the county?
5.)One local road is closed, at Microsoft’s request. What will happen if there is an emergency? Are first responders allowed to pass through the megapark?
6.) What is the expected water consumption and water source for the development? Will it be well vs. municipal water? What are the sewer requirements (septic or municipal)?
7.) What are the expected electric power requirements (average and peak)? What will be the power source (municipal and/or onsite)?
8.) Will the facility use back-up generators? If so, how many? What would be the fuel source? How often and how long typically would they be used? What would be the expected testing schedule?
9.) Will the facility use natural gas? If so, how much? Would it need new pipelines?
10.) How much of the land would be covered by the building? By non-building surface coverings (e.g. parking lots, sidewalks)? What are the plans for handling runoff on site?
11.) What are the plans to maintain natural areas on the site?
12.) How will the plans for the site impact air and water quality? Will the site need permits for air or water pollution? What pollutants are expected to be emitted from the site?
13.) How loud would operations on the site be? How close would they be to residents?
14.) How will Microsoft’s development impact traffic once it is operating?
Questions about construction plans:
1.) How long would construction take?
2.) How many construction jobs would there be? How many jobs would go to local people?
3.) What is the plan for land clearing, including timing and disposition of timber?
4.) What are Microsoft’s expected excavation requirements, including rock blasting?
5.) Huge trucks already speed, make noise and pollute the air here. Does Microsoft expect to transport oversized/overweight materials to the work site? How? And how will Microsoft respond to concerns from local residents about traffic?
6.) How will the facility control sediment runoff during construction?
7.) What are the plans to preserve natural areas or replant areas harmed by construction?
