Región: Fort Wayne

Tell City Leadership That You Are Concerned About Data Centers!

Petición a:
Mayor of Fort Wayne, Indiana Sharon Tucker

577 Firmas

Colecta terminada

577 Firmas

Colecta terminada

  1. Iniciado enero 2026
  2. Colecta terminada
  3. Preparar presentación.
  4. Diálogo con destinatario
  5. Decisión

Petición dirigida a: Mayor of Fort Wayne, Indiana Sharon Tucker

Living just a few miles from the Google data center in Fort Wayne, Indiana, I am deeply concerned. Not only for my own well-being, but also for the safety and quality of life of my neighbors, friends, family, and the entire community of Fort Wayne, New Haven, Allen County, and unincorporated Allen County.

Many of us have built our lives and futures here, establishing deep roots with an expectation of safety and a high quality of life. We are invested in and paying attention to projects that could potentially bring great harm to all of our lives, and the Google data center, already under construction in Fort Wayne, Indiana, poses significant risks to our financial security, energy grid stability, access to safe and clean drinking water, public health and safety, our environment and wildlife, privacy and data surveillance, and more.

Recently, it has been implied that concerns about data centers come from a small but loud group of people who do not represent the concerns of the average resident. We want to let our city leadership know that our concerns are held by a large and growing number of people – please sign and share this petition so we can show our representatives that our concerns are not small and that we are a people who will fight for our lives and demand better from those we have placed in positions of power.

Razones.

Data centers pose a threat to our access to safe, clean drinking water—a basic human right. As of 2025, nearly 30 million Americans were living in areas with high levels of water limitation. Lack of safe and clean water has lead to dehydration and hunger, economic stress, sanitation issues and disease, wildlife and biodiversity loss, conflict, and more. According to calculations based on Google's own 2025 Environmental Report, the Fort Wayne data center could withdraw 720 million gallons of potable (drinking) water annually.

Data centers can also compromise our ability to breathe air unpolluted by diesel exhaust pumped from industrial diesel-fueled generators. A research paper found that since 2023, the increase in permits for diesel generators at data centers in Virginia has been linked to 14,000 asthma symptom cases and caused as much as $300 million in health care costs. The American Lung Association found that in 2025, Hoosiers are breathing some of the most polluted air in the country.

In a recent study, Bloomberg found that electricity costs as much as 267% more than it did five years ago in areas located near data center activity. Harvard recently published a study titled, “Extracting Profits from the Public: How Utility Ratepayers Are Paying for Big Tech’s Power.” Some Fort Wayne residents have reported increases in their utility bills, ranging from 20% to 100%.

According to The Guardian, a report from the International Energy Agency (IEA) states that global energy demands from AI data centers could quadruple by 2030. Existing energy grids are being overwhelmed by data centers’ energy demands and this can result in blackouts, disruption to essential and emergency services, and catastrophic system failures resulting in mass casualties.

The financial burden on our communities also cannot be overlooked. Property values could decline due to risks associated with living near such facilities, such as noise pollution, light pollution, smell and smog from the industrial diesel-fueled generators, impacts on local schools and quality of education, and more. The infrastructure updates necessary to support data centers' massive energy consumption can lead to increased local taxes and utility bills, as additional resources will be required to support the data center’s operation.

It is crucial for our local elected officials to understand the breadth and depth of our concerns. They need to recognize that the alleged benefits do not outweigh the threats to our quality of life and lives themselves. We demand that our voices to be heard. We demand to be involved in the decision-making process from here on out, since we were deliberately kept uninformed when the project was first being introduced to our city officials.

In 2023, several groups and elected bodies were a part of bringing Google and its nearly 900-acre data center campus to our community. City Council voted to award Google tax abatements that will cause the city to lose $55.5 million dollars in tax revenue, and they also allowed Google to begin operations in our city without implementing a Community Benefits Agreement or any protections for the people and families that work and live in our communities.

Join me in standing up for Fort Wayne, New Haven, Allen County, and unincorporated Allen County residents — sign this petition to show our local government officials that there is a substantial amount of concern that deserves respect and attention. We must take immediate actions that prioritize the health, safety, and prosperity of our communities over unregulated corporate exploitation. Our concerns must be taken seriously, and our city's leadership must rise to the occasion and do all within their power to protect us.

Learn more: https://fwdatacenteraction.wordpress.com/

Detalles de la petición

Petición iniciada: 22/01/26
Fin de la colección: 21/07/2026
Región: Fort Wayne
Categoría, Tema: Protección al consumidor

Noticias

  • SUNDAY OCT 25: Community Gathering Scheduled in Southeast Fort Wayne to Address Concerns for Air, Water, Wetlands, and Quality of Life Near Google Data Center

    Protect Allen County Coalition invites you to join a nonviolent community gathering for Allen County residents, especially neighbors in New Haven living near Google’s Project Zodiac campus. Residents will share their stories and discuss solutions on air quality, wetlands and wildlife, energy affordability and grid reliability, and overall quality of life.

    WHEN: Sunday, October 25, 2026, 2:00–4:00 p.m.

    WHERE: Parking & Shuttle at 6501 Wayne Trace, Fort Wayne, IN 46816

    WHY NOW:

    • Google’s developer has asked IDEM for 228 more emergency diesel generators, after IDEM approved 140+ more in April despite a public hearing where more than three hundred residents appeared in-person to oppose the request. If approved, Google’s data center campus would have over 400 industrial diesel-fueled generators on site.
    • IDEM recently approved the destruction of 2.13 more acres of protected wetlands for Phase 3 of Google’s data center project. Evidence suggests unpermitted habitat destruction in recent months, violating the law and protections for endangered species. Three separate parties have filed appeals on this decision.
    • Neighbors report noise pollution, around-the-clock and disruptive industrial lighting, hazardous roads, well-water concerns, and rising utility costs. Many say they have not received clear communication from the company or from local and state officials.
    • On October 13, City Council defeated both a one-year data center moratorium as well as the Community Impact & Environmental Review Commission put forth by District 6 Councilwoman Rohli Booker. Councilwoman Rohli Booker, Councilman Geoff Paddock, and Councilman Russ Jehl all voted YES to both ordinances, but were outnumbered by the remaining members of City Council. Councilman Paul Ensley voted YES to the moratorium and NO to the commission while City Council President Martin Bender, Councilman Nathan Hartman, Councilman Dr. Scott Myers, and At-Large Councilwoman Michelle Chambers all voted NO on the moratorium and the commission. At-Large Councilman Friestroffer was absent from the vote. County Commissioner Ron Turpin has stated that he does not believe a moratorium or task force is necessary, and Mayor Sharon Tucker has not taken any measurable action to support residents and their concerns.
    • Residents are also asking what Google’s land acquisitions and future energy plans mean for farmland, energy security, and quality of life. Google has announced its intent to purchase additional properties while residents report threats made of eminent domain as well as rumors of a second large-scale data center project coming to New Haven from a separate tech giant. The City of New Haven, led by Mayor Steve McMichael, also recently submitted a Notice of Intent to become a Nuclear Ready Community. This paired with news of AEP’s LuLu-Sorenson Transmission Project and adjacent projects raise questions about the future livability of our communities.

    WHO WILL BE PRESENT: New Haven and Allen County neighbors, Protect Allen County Coalition organizers.

    MEDIA OPPORTUNITIES: Resident interviews (arranged on request), a press check-in table, and a designated media area. Please honor neighbors’ wishes if they prefer not to be filmed.

    GROUND RULES: This is a peaceful, nonviolent event. Officials and company representatives are welcome to attend and listen. We ask those individuals to introduce themselves to an organizer. We will not identify you publicly unless you give consent.

    Protect Allen County Coalition is a community coalition of neighbors working for transparency, clean air and water, affordable energy, and responsible development. For details, participants are asked to subscribe via email at ProtectAllenCounty.wordpress.com.

  • FOR PLANNING PURPOSES: Sunday, October 25

    Contact: Kimberly Koczan, kimberly@earthcharterindiana.org, cell: (215) 290-5685  
    Contact: Danielle Doepke, protectallencounty@proton.me, cell: (260) 415-2372

    *** MEDIA ADVISORY ***

    SUNDAY OCT 25: Community Gathering Scheduled in Southeast Fort Wayne to Address Concerns for Air, Water, Wetlands, and Quality of Life Near Google Data Center

    Protect Allen County Coalition invites you to join a nonviolent community gathering for Allen County residents, especially neighbors in New Haven living near Google’s Project Zodiac campus. Residents will share their stories and discuss solutions on air quality, wetlands and wildlife, energy affordability and grid reliability, and overall quality of life.

    WHEN: Sunday, October 25, 2026, 2:00–4:00 p.m.

    WHERE: Parking & Shuttle at 6501 Wayne Trace, Fort Wayne, IN 46816

    WHY NOW:

    • Google’s developer has asked IDEM for 228 more emergency diesel generators, after IDEM approved 140+ more in April despite a public hearing where more than three hundred residents appeared in-person to oppose the request. If approved, Google’s data center campus would have over 400 industrial diesel-fueled generators on site.
    • IDEM recently approved the destruction of 2.13 more acres of protected wetlands for Phase 3 of Google’s data center project. Evidence suggests unpermitted habitat destruction in recent months, violating the law and protections for endangered species. Three separate parties have filed appeals on this decision.
    • Neighbors report noise pollution, around-the-clock and disruptive industrial lighting, hazardous roads, well-water concerns, and rising utility costs. Many say they have not received clear communication from the company or from local and state officials.
    • On October 13, City Council defeated both a one-year data center moratorium as well as the Community Impact & Environmental Review Commission put forth by District 6 Councilwoman Rohli Booker. Councilwoman Rohli Booker, Councilman Geoff Paddock, and Councilman Russ Jehl all voted YES to both ordinances, but were outnumbered by the remaining members of City Council. Councilman Paul Ensley voted YES to the moratorium and NO to the commission while City Council President Martin Bender, Councilman Nathan Hartman, Councilman Dr. Scott Myers, and At-Large Councilwoman Michelle Chambers all voted NO on the moratorium and the commission. At-Large Councilman Friestroffer was absent from the vote. County Commissioner Ron Turpin has stated that he does not believe a moratorium or task force is necessary, and Mayor Sharon Tucker has not taken any measurable action to support residents and their concerns.
    • Residents are also asking what Google’s land acquisitions and future energy plans mean for farmland, energy security, and quality of life. Google has announced its intent to purchase additional properties while residents report threats made of eminent domain as well as rumors of a second large-scale data center project coming to New Haven from a separate tech giant. The City of New Haven, led by Mayor Steve McMichael, also recently submitted a Notice of Intent to become a Nuclear Ready Community. This paired with news of AEP’s LuLu-Sorenson Transmission Project and adjacent projects raise questions about the future livability of our communities.

    WHO WILL BE PRESENT: New Haven and Allen County neighbors, Protect Allen County Coalition organizers.

    MEDIA OPPORTUNITIES: Resident interviews (arranged on request), a press check-in table, and a designated media area. Please honor neighbors’ wishes if they prefer not to be filmed.

    GROUND RULES: This is a peaceful, nonviolent event. Officials and company representatives are welcome to attend and listen. We ask those individuals to introduce themselves to an organizer. We will not identify you publicly unless you give consent.

    Protect Allen County Coalition is a community coalition of neighbors working for transparency, clean air and water, affordable energy, and responsible development. For details, participants are asked to subscribe via email at ProtectAllenCounty.wordpress.com.

    ###

  • In order to provide the most impactful and safest event possible, we have rescheduled the nonviolent peaceful protest from Sunday, October 11th to Sunday, October 25th and have also adjusted the time to earlier in the day, 2:00pm-4:00pm. We appreciate your understanding as we work collaboratively with our neighbors, organizations, and volunteers.

    Gather with your neighbors in a nonviolent peaceful protest. Join us as we demand that our local and state representatives fight to protect clean air and water, local lands and protected wetlands, financial and economic stability, children’s education, and our overall quality of life. Allen County is demanding that Google make changes to their Project Zodiac plan and do better by the people who live here.

    What: Not at Our Expense: Residents Fight for Clean Air, Protection of Local Lands, and Economic Stability

    When: 2:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 25th.

    Where: Location details coming soon.

    Subscribe to ProtectAllenCounty.wordpress.com and/or send an email to ProtectAllenCounty@proton.me to receive updates.

    Join the Facebook Event

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