In Connecticut, we have about 40 colocation data centers. These are smaller data centers, often utilized by banks, hospitals, and other businesses. That means that we have an opportunity to say no to AI data centers before they come here. But that requires action, and fast. 

There are already proposals that indicate that there is interest in building or expanding existing data centers for the use of AI in Connecticut. In Trumbull, there is a proposal to expand an existing 2MW data center to a 16MW data center. The company who owns the data center has said that they are creating an “AI ready data center” pipeline nationally, and the property is big enough for us to assume that further expansions could be coming. Another company is attempting to buy nine peaker power plants across Connecticut (many of which are in environmental justice communities that are already overburdened by air pollution). That company has an explicit aim of AI data center construction.

Now is the time to stand up against AI data centers, and we need your help. Along with our partners, Sierra Club Connecticut is calling on our state legislators and Governor to pass a two-year data center moratorium, repeal the tax break that Connecticut currently has in place for data centers, and prioritize the protection of environmental justice communities. 

You can take action by emailing your state legislators and the Governor to ask for their position on data centers and to demand action. 

At the same time, we’ve been working with a coalition of organizations concerned about the impact of data centers. As part of that, we hosted a webinar to talk about the data center landscape in Connecticut. Check out the recording on YouTube to learn more, and if you want to get involved with anti-data center organizing please email sena.wazer@sierraclub.org. 

Across the nation, we are seeing people stand up and say no to data centers. Communities are proving that when we come together, we can win against big corporations who don’t care about our health or climate. I invite you to join us in doing that here.

Sena Wazer is Volunteer and Outreach Coordinator at Sierra Club Connecticut.