More than one hour of the two hour and 14 minutes of the April 14 Putnam County Commission meeting was devoted to hearing public comment concerning the data center which Google plans to build on the property adjacent to Buffalo which it purchased from American Electric Power for $22,788,855.00.
Speakers expressed their opposition to the proposed data center and questioned the provisions of House Bill 2014 which makes large capital projects exempt from county regulations.
Every member of the county commission refused to consider issuing a non-bing resolution expressing their concern for health and pollution issues because potential health and pollution associated with the proposed data center is unknown and cannot be projected at this time.
One speaker asked, “Do you guys know what a data center does?” Commission Brian Ellis answered that it stores data. The questioner replied that a data center is much more. A data center houses super computers which make AI (artificial intelligence) possible. AI has been programmed to self-program such that it can expand and gain power. The information which AI processes is sold by the owners of AI for profit. AI is able to process information to gain military advantages. The speaker concluded saying that it was too late to shutdown AI and we have no idea of its capability.
In the regular business that followed, the commission approved a request by Solid Waste Authority Acting Director Rob Vanater to make space behind the Putnam County Sheriff’s facility available for use as a recycling center. The commission is required to advertise for bids for fencing since the estimate is greater than $15,000. The planned center will house four recycling bins.
Following a 30-minute executive session, the commission appointed Dawn Lemle to the Solid Waste Authority Board and William Dempsey to the Parks and Recreation Board.
The commission approved a request by the City of Hurricane to annex 4.92 acres into city limits. The property is adjacent to the Kelly’s Cove Subdivision.
The commission also approved granting Appalachian Power a 40-foot right of way on property leased by the Putnam County Gun Club. The electric line will allow the Gun Club to install additional cameras.
The next regular county commission meeting will be April 28th at 9 a.m.
