THE DAY READER COMMENTS TO OPINION: Legislators: Please pump the brakes on data centers  March 20 2024 By David Collins, Day Staff Columnist

BRYAN SAYLES

March 21, 2024 at 20:46

Excellent info Mr. Lassman. Those ARE the facts about the developer, Thomas Quinn and Portia Bordelon read him like a book.

BRYAN SAYLES

March 21, 2024 at 19:33

Lucira Jane Nebelung @ 16:24 great point! @ 16:32 thank you from all of CCWEL for your kind words.

Lucira Jane Nebelung

March 21, 2024 at 16:32

Many, many thanks and appreciation to CCWEL for their hard work to document solid research into the multitude and broad impacts of data centers.
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CCWEL did the legislators’ and local elected officials’ work FOR them… and shame on these state and local politicians if they continue to ignore or dismiss what they have been given. I won’t call politicians, “leaders” because they are NOT.
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https://sites.google.com/view/ccwel-resources/home

Lucira Jane Nebelung

March 21, 2024 at 16:24

Richard, it is my observation/understanding that the emergency broadcast system has multiple origin points around town and they appear to be multi-directional. Would it be a perfect test? Absolutely not. Would it help people experience what the data center will sound like? Maybe “close enough for government work.” It’s better than nothing at all.
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The GA FAILED when they pushed through “emergency legislation, without normal committee review or public hearings, making data centers exempt from sales and property tax, provided they make a deal for payments in lieu of taxes with host towns.”
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Now, we the people are speaking out. It was WRONG to do this: It gave our legislators and local politicians permission not to be bothered with the complicated details of data center development which highlights that they are incapable of collecting, understanding, evaluating, and applying these complex details for OUR benefit. They all should resign for their blatant incompetence.
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This current legislation rectifies/corrects this debacle that created a gaping hole of ignoring/dismissing research and public input. If the GA cares about us and the quality of life in CT, this will pass almost unanimously instead of perpetuating willful ignorance.
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Michael Boucher, AMEN.

MICHAEL BOUCHER

March 21, 2024 at 15:42

Something to remember Waterford.
Yes Groton said no but it was the community and residents of Groton that said no.
Groton Government both Town and City along with Groton Utilities and CMEEC were happy to hop on the Data Center bandwagon.
Data Centers were vetted by the PUBLIC and rightfully protested against in earnest by the PUBLIC
Your worst enemy are the very Public Officials who should be protecting you and working in your interests.

Richard Golden

March 21, 2024 at 15:21

As for playing the noise over a loud speaker…that would provide a false representation because there would be a single source providing a concentrated sound pressure level from a single location, aimed in a particular direction- whereas a data center would have multiple sources at varying levels and different frequencies over distance, not additive nor focused.

Richard Golden

March 21, 2024 at 15:17

Hit the wrong key The new physics of sound sound spreads spherically from the source until bounded by changes in media then sprees cylindricaly losing half its volume 6db (half volume or power) per distance doubled (spherically) and 3db per distance doubled (1/4 volume or power) . The sound isn’t exactly amplified over water, what happens is (if and only if the conditions are right) the sound wave bounces off the smooth surface providing one path for the sound wave and the other side is reflected back down towards the water because the air above the water is cooled by the water. But it is not amplified, it is simply two distinct sound waves that if conditions are right arrive at the same time and add together algebraically. Not a constant, not always.

Richard Golden

March 21, 2024 at 15:11

the new physics of sound sound spreads spherically from the source until bounded by changes in media then sprees cylindrical . I

RONALD ELKIN

March 21, 2024 at 15:07

If I was going to build a 1.5 million square foot building at a value of between 1 and 3 Billion dollars using 10 to 15% on the energy that a nuclear power plant generated and would change the look of our small town don’t you think that this is something that should take a year or two of studying discussing and evaluating the largest project since Milestone was built? When Groton smartly said NO only a few months past until Mr Brule said yes. Seeing $9.5 million in tax dollars a year for 30 years must be the price to say ok. Just think a 2 billion dollar business paying a mill rate of less than 8.0 mills while every in town pays 21.20 mills what a gift!

Bruce DASINGER

March 21, 2024 at 13:13

I’m with David Collins and the other clear thinkers. If anything, available land on Millstone Point should be used for an advanced nuclear reactor.

DANIEL STORMS

March 21, 2024 at 12:28

I always laugh when I see the argument,”If you don’t like it, you can just move.” Usually you see it in telling people who can’t find work to just move to where the jobs are, Here it is to suggest that if the Speedbowl noise is offensive, go somewhere else. Apparently the likely costs of moving–selling a house, finding a compatible new neighborhood, buying a new home, possibly finding a new job, new schools, establishing new healthcare relationships, uprooting from friends and family–are mere piffle compared to asking a noisy and noisome company to have some consideration other than profit-taking (or, as with NE Edge, probable grifting).

ANDREW LASSMAN

March 21, 2024 at 11:51

Of course, data centers are needed no one is arguing that.
Also needed are:
– Beneficial for the hosting and surrounding communities.
– A safe and efficient location for a data center.
– A developer who is experienced and trusted in building them.
– A proper study on how a large-scale data centers might affect the reliability of the state’s electric grid.
As Groton Councilor Portia Bordelon said, “It’s strictly process, transparency, liability and the financial cost that it can create for the town,” she said. “I have been looking at the track record (of Thomas Quinn) in front of me and it has not been to the level of rigor that I initially anticipated. I don’t think Groton should be the forerunners on that and take the liability and the risk.” http://www.datacenterdynamics.com/ February 22, 2022 by Dan Swinhoe
I don’t link the “liability and the risk” should be put next to a nuclear power plant either.

ANDREW LASSMAN

March 21, 2024 at 11:44

Thomas Quinn the developer and CEO of the company N.E. Edge has jumped companies 3 times in less than 4 years. Each time he appears to have avoided being brought to account for failed attempts at putting in data centers. In fact, he has not been successful in building any data centers so far. He has an unproven track record. Four municipalities surrounding Waterford have decided not to do business with him. One, Montville, sued his former company, Verde and won. He lobbied for the CT DATA bill. He is also lobbying against a proposal to study how large-scale data centers might affect the reliability of the state’s electric grid. It appears he has financial vested interests in seeing data centers put in. But, the question is this. Who will benefit the most from the data center at Millstone? He will not be around to hear the noise, observe the wildlife deterioration, deal with the traffic, pay property taxes. He will make a handsome profit with no tax, and if or when N.E. Edge is unable to make good on their promises to Waterford, he can leave and start another company, as evidenced by his former behavior in the past.

Lucira Jane Nebelung

March 21, 2024 at 11:42

Christine/Rick Spanbauer, exactly. Imagine making truly informed decisions, fully understanding and weighing the impacts and pros and cons.
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Richard and Daniel, we hear the Speedbowl… we are due south on the open water of the Niantic River which carries (amplifies) the sound. Yes, it is loud and while it may seem like it, it is not 24/7, 365 days a year. My point about Cheeseman: It’s got nothing to do with being Republican. She lives nearly on the Niantic Bay across from Millstone.
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I have an idea: As part of the research for a fully informed decision, why don’t we record a comparable data center to what is being proposed and play it through the emergency broadcast system around Millstone, the Niantic Bay/River, etc., at the same decibels, 24/7 for preferably a month? Members of the GA, local politicians (Waterford, EL) and people like Sheridan would be required to stay at Camp Nett. This would capture many conditions and give them and all of us an idea as to what will actually be experienced.

BRYAN SAYLES

March 21, 2024 at 11:32

“…..Another misinformation article from Mr. Collins. Please contact your local representative and get information yourself and don’t believe everything you read. Waterford has voted unanimously (I will add) to explore hosting a data center on land currently home to a nuclear power plant. Waterford is continuing the transparent process of making sure this will not harm Waterford…”
-Michael Rocchetti

**Mr. Collins substantiates his opinion with FACTS. Nothing misleading there.

**As Christine Spanbauer points out, decisions have been made without knowing all of the facts. Especially by legislators who wrote HB-6514. One LOCAL Co-Sponsor, Heather Somers, like many others, may not have fully understood the ramifications of her bill. (Thanks to Collins, she does now). A bill shaped with the help of NE Edge, LLC developer, Thomas Quinn. The same guy who doesn’t want his project reviewed by DEEP.

**Surely, and in time, check with your legislators. Although many are still busy catching up on what CCWEL discovered.

**I agree. Don’t believe everything you read. Particularly out of proponents of the NE Edge, LLC data center. I welcome you to visit CCWEL Google Resources Website to learn more. Best on a laptop versus phone!

sites.google.com/view/ccwel-resources/home

Thanks

BRYAN SAYLES

March 21, 2024 at 11:02

Outstanding comment Christine Spanbauer!

Christine Spanbauer

March 21, 2024 at 10:29

Hi Elizabeth: good points, all of them.

Speaking as a retired technologist, I’m concerned about Harold Hill (Music Man) effects when developers and entrepreneurs pitch cool kid technology, green development (eg state pier), and so on. Are our leaders well equipped to make informed decisions, or are they making “click friendly” decisions, resume stuffers? I hope they at least recognize when they should pump the brakes, hire expertise, and develop policy guidelines, or at least a “how to” guide for local legislators to use.

If you’ve followed the FTX, Sam Bankman-Fried debacle, I find it interesting how his pitch about effective altruism smoked some of the smartest folks in the circus tent, people who should have known better. Let’s get local leaders educated such that they stand some chance of thoughtfully evaluating the merits of “high tech” pitches. There will be many more of them.

BRYAN SAYLES

March 21, 2024 at 09:21

“…Secondly – if the grids can support it – costs should go down for everyone else based on energy consumption. Unless NPU has figured out something Eversource can not….” -Amy Daley

First, the cost will NOT go down based on the way wholesale electricity is priced. Electricity is priced as any other commodity and nationally, Independent Systems Operators (ISO) manage those markets throughout the country. Through a system known as ECONOMIC DISPATCH. You can learn more by visiting Concerned Citizens of Waterford and East Lyme’s Google Documents Resources Website. Look for a PowerPoint presentation then, find a letter to Atty. General William Tong. Best to view/find on a computer rather than phone.
sites.google.com/view/ccwel-resources/home

Second, Norwich Public Utilities (NPU) is NOT traded on Wall Street therefore, is NOT beholden to shareholders demanding more profits. NPU saves city residents from that.

CCWEL is not against technology, just against reckless legislation, planning, and siting of data center(s). Thank you

Richard Golden

March 21, 2024 at 08:41

Lucira Jane Nebelung the speed bowl is so loud that miles away in Montville all summer long evenings outside on our deck are ruined by the noise. They practice week nights and race on weekends and it’s so loud that is Mr. Storms states, you need to raise your voice to carry on a conversation and I live 6 miles as the crow fly’s from it. I live approximately 6 miles from the data center near the Dodd stadium…and don’t hear a thing from it nor the baseball games.
The one thing you have going for you is that this is America, you can move from East Lyme and live in a town that does not have any Republicans in office…

TINA DUBOSQUE

March 21, 2024 at 07:52

I am not against data centers. The world needs them. I am for locating them thoughtfully, and not building them in residential areas, under migratory flyways, on conservation lands. The Host Municipality Fee Agreement between NE Edge LLC, unproven datacenter developers, and the Town of Waterford is a result of greed. The PILOT program in the Agreement provides the town substantially less money than if the property was subject to standard annual taxation. A visit to https://sites.google.com/view/ccwel-resources/home will explain the issues Concerned Citizens of Waterford and East Lyme have publicized. Thank you, David Collins for bringing this sad development to the attention of many.

JOEL ACKERMAN

March 21, 2024 at 07:29

Thank you, David Collins for writing about the horrible plan to build data centers on Millstone Point and plug them directly into Millstone Station, bypassing the grid that serves all businesses and residents of not only Waterford, but the region .. and beyond. The drain on the grid via the power plant will raise public demand and end up costing all of us more.

DANIEL STORMS

March 21, 2024 at 07:24

Oh, and all you citing Speedbowl noise, where were you when residents in northern Waterford fought for the noise ordinance? The comparison of noise to train noise is ludicrous. Having grown up less than a quarter mie (as the crow flies) from the Speedbowl, I can say without fear of refutation that on the hours and hours of race nights and during practices several times a week, you could not have a conversation outside without having to shout. The useless waste of fuel and tires can be heard in Waterford, Montville, and East Lyme. A train, on the other hand, passes through, blows its horn, and is gone. A few minutes at worst.

DANIEL STORMS

March 21, 2024 at 07:16

I see no harm in thorough research into the pros and cons of hosting a data center. Why do the developers need such extensive infusions of public money in the form of tax breaks, returning only a small portion in PILOT assessments? What is the effect on residents and wildlife of the constant noise from industrial cooling fans? If the cooling is to be done by heat exchange with seawater, what is the environmental effect of adding that much more heat to Niantic Bay and the river on top of the heat Millstone discharges along with the growing burden of climate change? Have the developers (somewhat compromised and a tad shady to begin with) identified customers for this data center–my understanding is that many of these centers are used almost exclusively for the dubious “industry” of cryptocurrency mining? As to missed opportunities, even if other municipalities are clamoring for these centers, don’t you think they will run into the same questions or opposition? I haven’t seen answers to these questions, but I’d like to know that they’ve been considered.

Michael Rocchetti

March 21, 2024 at 06:34

Another misinformation article from Mr. Collins. Please contact your local representative and get information yourself and don’t believe everything you read. Waterford has voted unanimously (I will add) to explore hosting a data center on land currently home to a nuclear power plant. Waterford is continuing the transparent process of making sure this will not harm Waterford.

BRYAN SAYLES

March 21, 2024 at 05:54

Great FACTS Mr. Collins
THANK YOU for telling it like it is!
The NE Edge, LLC Data Center with it’s direct connection to reactors 2 & 3 is a horrendous plan. HB-6514 is flawed legislation that is the basis of a scheme Waterford’s First Selectman, Robert Brule, signed up for with little transparency afforded the citizens of Waterford. Brule’s signed Host Fee Agreement is a payment in leu of taxes (PILOT) that provides a FRACTION of what all other property taxpayers are obligated to pay. The surrounding community of Niantic, long dependant on tourism, will feel the pain of the data center and it’s problems.
Tony Sheridan betrays all small business owners throughout Connecticut with his support of the NE Edge, LLC data center as electricity prices will skyrocket if this mess is allowed to go through. Every “mom and pop” owner, every commercial manufacturer and every industrial manufacturer will feel the pain.
I suggest that everyone get in touch with the good people of Concerned Citizens of Waterford and East Lyme (CCWEL) to learn more. sites.google.com/view/ccwel-resources/home

ELIZABETH SABILIA

March 21, 2024 at 05:38

In fairness, all three governing bodies in Waterford voted to engage in this process and it was unanimous in this approval. So, in a way, Tony Sheridan was correct. Why? 1. State law permits data centers and encourages development through substantial tax breaks and the requirements of a host fee agreement with a municipality. 2. The use of clean energy obviating the need for noisy generators. 3. Significant host and permitting fees to the town.
4. The continued viability of Millstone.
If you agree with this opinion, your fight is to go to Hartford and ask the legislators to enact a state ban on data centers.
Whatever your opinion, stay involved in the process.

Saltzman Greg

March 20, 2024 at 20:25

Rick – sorry can’t keep up…. But to your second post I would simply answer skilled jobs. Certainly it would be foolish to think or invest in innovation at this level and location.

Saltzman Greg

March 20, 2024 at 20:22

Rick – I believe we are both seeking the same as opposed to the content of this column, with the exception of clearly factual train noise as a larger problem. But you really can’t compare fire resistant rare earth minerals required to support non linear power supplies to a data center. Progress must march on based on factual decisions

Christine Spanbauer

March 20, 2024 at 19:40

Greg: on your data center sea water cooling comment, there has been work on that sort of thing. Do a search for Microsoft “Project Natick”.

I worked for a guy who built a data center in NY state that used natural convection for cooling. Search for “Yahoo! Chicken Coop design”.

So there is lots of room for innovation. If you find the chicken coop article, it will speak about the data center being near cheap hydropower.. Aside from Millstone energy, what are the breakthroughs in the proposed data center here?

Rick Spanbauer
Stonington

Christine Spanbauer

March 20, 2024 at 19:32

Greg: the devil is in the details. It’s easy to say that cloud based apps live in datacenters (true), that streaming is provided (in part) by cloud storage CDNs. I’m not privy to the details (for example) of how Netflix builds their service architecture, but a quick Google search leads one to articles about how Netflix uses AWS (Amazon Web Services) to host their system. In this case, do we know that the proposed data center is hosting AWS infrastructure? If so, one might claim that’s a win for “streaming”. Of course, we’re already watching Netflix, Max, Pluto, etc on our Internet TV devices, so that’s the added gain? Streaming is already happening!

All I’m saying here is let’s get very specific about the pro/con of hosting the data center at Millstone. We don’t get that by just saying “FUD” as a con, or “streaming” as a pro. Details, please.

Here in Stonington, we had a developer who wanted to site a energy battery storage facility in a tough to access spot, right next to a drinking water reservoir. The community said no. That’s not anti-developer, it is reasonable citizen concern about a bad plan.

Rick Spanbauer
Stonington

Robert Patten

March 20, 2024 at 19:03

Classic liberal below…..attacking Cheesman because she is a Republican, yet gives the State Senator Marx a pass.

Hypocrisy is strong with you.

Saltzman Greg

March 20, 2024 at 18:40

I might have missed something in reading the documents posted on the Waterford town site, but my interpretation was that this would be a data center that could host and service multiple companies. Thus for example all of us that use various streaming services and such would benefit, much in the same way as cell towers benefited customers of multiple cell phone companies which improved service and allowed us to disconnect land lines (and costs). At this point, it seems like a lot of FUD (fear, uncertainty and doubt) being disseminated for a variety of unknown reasons (other then clickbait to sell advertising on this site)

I don’t personally hear noise from the speedbowl where I live in Waterford (I’m closer to Millstone and don’t hear noise from that either), but I would think they need to conform to the Waterford noise ordinances, unlike the many trains (especially overnight freight trains) that pass through one of the rare street level crossings along the entire line.

AMY DALEY

March 20, 2024 at 18:38

Norwich has had a data center for years – yes it’s the biggest consumer of energy – but makes no more noise than anything else near it, it only makes “noise” when the backup generator “UPS” – Uninterrupted Power Source – needs to be used. I’d bet that the Best Buy and Dick’s in Waterford Commons make more noise than a datacenter running on electricity. Secondly – if the grids can support it – costs should go down for everyone else based on energy consumption. Unless NPU has figured out something Eversource can not. As for the Speedbowl Comparison, the generator that powers the Norwich data center sounds like one dump truck – it’s essentially a large diesel Caterpillar engine…The Shoreline East would make more noise….

Lucira Jane Nebelung

March 20, 2024 at 18:17

Rick Spanbauer, thank you. Let us be wise and take the time to do the research to make an INFORMED, rational decision instead of an emotional one driven by money.
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Richard, you really aren’t paying attention. The Speedbowl is for a few hours for a few days for a few months each year. The data center noise is 24/7, 365 days a year.
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Would you want me to find a lot for you to camp out on for a personal 24/7, 365 day experience along the Niantic Bay or River? Maybe Cheeseman will let you use her front yard.

Richard Golden

March 20, 2024 at 17:55

Greg- how about a protect Waterford and Montville from Speedbowl noise in the summer?? my guess is the data center will be way less annoying…just saying.

Saltzman Greg

March 20, 2024 at 17:12

I might be wrong, but my understanding is that all of this green energy from Millstone isn’t actually delivered, used and benefitting CT. Also I wonder if a Protect Waterford from Train Noise Pollution group would be of greater value to the community. From a technical perspective it would be interesting to know if the data center plants to use cooling technology in the same way the power plant does via BTU exchange with sea water, this would be much quieter, efficient and greener. Hosting a data center next to a power source should eliminate the need for noisy generators, etc.

Christine Spanbauer

March 20, 2024 at 16:56

Rich: the quick answer is that anyone looking to build a new data center would be interested in the cost of energy, availability of skills, network availability (eg NYC used to have some of the largest network hubs, eg 111 8th, etc), and so on. I’d flip the question around, and ask you what you’re getting out of placing a data center locally, particularly if it has a net negative impact on home energy cost.

I like the language “pump the brakes” as DC used it here – leave the time for a deep dive on the pro/con of the data center placement here. I, for one, would like to see how it benefits the region, and who the marquee customer is for the data center. I’m definitely YIMBY for sensible local tech development, that was the career that provided for my retirement!

Cell towers are a bit different argument, IMO. With the data center, the favorable siting benefits just the operator, while the cell tower, conceptually, can host multiple operators and provide a visible benefit: improving cell coverage to all local residents.

Rick Spanbauer
Stonington

Richard Golden

March 20, 2024 at 16:11

If not there, where? Unless we are going to stop using all the things that data centers support and the growing volume of data required to use them…the data centers need to go someplace…I recall similar pushback in the 80’s about the cell towers.

THE DAY READER COMMENTS to Legislature seeks data center study republished in The Day March 11, 2024

Lucira Jane Nebelung

March 11, 2024 at 15:04

As always, it is profits over people. What’s going to happen if WE have health issues, our property values plummet and the potential for frequent brownouts because of data centers ?

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Ask Cheeseman what she is going to do: She lives within the radius of impact of the NE Edge/Millstone project across Niantic Bay. I wouldn’t be surprised if she sells and moves sooner rather than later.

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Taking this slow, looking in detail at ALL the impacts including stress on the grid, and imposing strict regulations on data center developers is what is required.

BRYAN SAYLES

March 11, 2024 at 11:36

Excellent comment Rick Spanbauer!

For clarity, I will add that House Bill 6514 (HB-6514), the 2021 emergency legislation to encourage data center development in Connecticut, does NOT provide property tax revenue for a hosting town nor revenue for the State as it is setup as a Payment In Lieu Of Taxes (PILOT). Under HB-6514, any prospective developer can strike a deal with the leader(s) of a host municipality and, do so at a rate that pales by comparison to actual property tax. HB-6514 is flawed legislation that has no protections for quality of life nor environmental protections. In fact, State Senator Mae Flexer attempted to introduce an amendment to add those critically important protections and it was left “uncalled,” meaning, left out of HB-6514. So, as you will discover, the sponsors of the bill, including a prominent local Senator, had a hand in where we are all left today. This latest debate is being conducted to reverse that terrible decision. Lastly, it was reported long ago that NE Edge, LLC owner, Mr. Quinn, was a contributor to HB-6514. Not surprising are his actions that oppose any such new measure that will cause a review of his proposal with Waterford/Dominion.

Christine Spanbauer

March 11, 2024 at 08:17

I welcome any study that explores, what the trade-offs are in siting data centers in CT. We have very high energy costs as it is, and must be asking this basic question: if we allow a data center, how does this benefit the citizens of the state? I worked an entire career in/around data centers for Internet service providers, and as such, have a hard time understanding why CT would be allowing data centers, either for crypto currency mining, AI, cloud storage, streaming, etc. I’m not an EV proponent quite yet, but it seems to be that given the current administration is toying with EV mandates, we need to consider that (considerable) new use case and demand on the grid while we think about building data centers. Call me a NIMBY on this issue, aside from fulfilling the needs of data center developers and speculators, I don’t see a net positive for the state in jobs, taxes, or even “nerd cred” in having cool looking racks of servers for pols to have their photo-ops! Rick Spanbauer, Stonington