Opinion: Participate in the public process, invest in our community’s well-being

For 25 years, I have had the honor of accompanying people to the deep places through my spiritual guidance practice, Wisdom’s Well. During these years, I’ve also done social service and environmental work. I have come to realize how interconnected the inner work of being a healthy human and the bigger efforts to be a healthy community really are. These are not separate, especially in our society right now. As I read comments on various news sources around our region, I realize that we really do have more in common than separates us – at least when it comes to the Google Data Center.

Each time Project Zodiac announces taking more wetlands, requires more unsustainable energy sourcing with ratepayers footing the bill, and applies for more massive diesel generators as back-up, I notice the breadth and depth of our community questioning if any potential benefit of this hyperscale AI data center in SE Allen County will be worth the resources they will extract. In the weeks since Indiana Michigan Power and Hatchworks, LLC have piled on four overlapping applications for more asks, I have met hundreds of new neighbors who have concerns about this center. 

We, the people, understand that ordinary people bearing the cost of more energy production by I&M to fuel this complex is bad enough, but bearing the cost with our health and our lives is far too much. 

To get into the nitty-gritty, the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) uses a capacity of 25% to calculate its air permit limits. Emergency back-up diesel generators are allowed to run up to 100 hours per year for maintenance and non-emergency use, but could potentially be running much more. IDEM’s draft air permit allows the company to release over 980 tons each year of air pollutants! I want to be clear – there is no safe exposure to these ultra-fine particles emitted into the air (called PM 2.5) for human health. Even if there is compliance with the national and state standards, this does not ensure the air is healthy. Health impacts from exposure range from low birth weight, higher infant mortality rates, and cancer to asthma, COPD, and cardiovascular disease. 

In a densely populated area, I believe there is no reason Google cannot reduce the total number of emergency diesel generators by increasing the use of battery storage, using renewable energy sources on site, and adding pollution controls to any generators on this site! As an innovative tech company that at one time aimed “to do no evil,” they could certainly bring innovation and ethics to DO better because we deserve better. 

As we witness what is unfolding in other AI data center communities and look at the energy demand for this one, we can already predict that this is far from the last “ask” we will get that impacts our air, soil, water, energy and quality of life. More generators may follow, as these 177 massive generators are not nearly enough to keep this monstrosity going when the center is operating full tilt and the grid is unstable. We need to demand transparency about plans from Google regarding this site and urge our city and state leaders to be our advocates. The Indiana Department of Environmental Management must protect our community by requiring the best available control technology on any diesel generators at this site and deny this permit. 

It takes a watchful eye to catch permit applications and be on top of the next vote at Citizens Square, but a large coalition of concerned citizens helps a little effort to make a big impact.  

There are so many pressures that weigh on us and threaten to divide us, but one hope I have is seeing that throughout our community, we care about people’s health and life opportunities, not just for the wealthiest companies. We can be the best community when we make time to enjoy the goodness Allen County has to offer AND when we make time to invest in our community’s well-being. One engagement provides short-term sustenance and joy, the other makes way for a long-term impact of human resilience. Whether you are fascinated or repelled by AI technology, participate in the public process to learn more. Whether you feel ill-equipped but concerned or come armed with statistics and solutions, join the voices demanding that Google’s air permit be denied until they present a plan that literally has us breathing a little easier. Each of us is worth having the best chance at wholeness and health. Together we will foster a healthier community, one action at a time. Be of courage and hold fast to that which is good – we are worth this effort to protect Allen County. 

Attend the IDEM Air Permit Hearing 

Thursday, November 13, 6-9 p.m. 

Ivy Tech, Coliseum Campus Auditorium Door #6 

Public comments and questions are due by November 17.  Include the reference numbers below & address to Omar El-Rjoob at  oelrjoob@idem.IN.gov.

View the permit filing here: https://permits.air.idem.in.gov/48840d.pdfView Hatchworks, LLC’s application here: https://ecm.idem.in.gov/cs/idcplg?IdcService=GET_FILE&dID=83758244&dDocName=83762287&Rendition=web&allowInterrupt=1&noSaveAs=1