Communities and Technology: Responsible Growth
Position statement of Chris Demers addressing the responsibility of tech to our planet.
“The development of technologies in a responsible manner is necessary for the continued livability of our planet, and success of our communities. Our environment and our social fabric are at risk if we do not adequately account for them. Free enterprise does not mean business prerogatives outweigh community prerogatives.” – Chris Demers
Some locations, like the South Bay and Central Coast in California, face technology infrastructure growth as innovation pushes projects into communities with abundant land. This includes data centers and battery energy storage systems, where human and environmental impact is not certain.
For the protection of communities, Chris Demers believes the following principles should be followed:
1) Communities have a right to know estimated environmental, social and economic impacts before projects are approved, and give evidence toward the impacts. (eg: EIR processes under CEQA must include workshops explaining impact and focus groups to collect input)
2) Environmental and social safeguards must include: a risk-based review of impacts of air, water and noise pollution; impacts on water availability and climate resiliency; impact of fire propensity; and impact on local ratepayer utility bills. (eg: incorporating CEQA and beyond permitting)
3) Communities have the right to compensation when companies diminish needed communal resources, injure human or environmental health, or create higher utility expenses for the community.
4) Communities must agree to distance setbacks of technology projects, that allow for successful notification and evacuation in the case of a high-risk emergency. (beyond zoning laws)
5) Developer agreements must acknowledge expected impacts, and stipulate compensation and necessary escrow accounts if communities are adversely impacted.
6) For data centers: federal and/or state tax incentives for behind-the-meter renewable energy must be available for primary and backup power. And behind-the-meter energy production must be required if local rate payers are shown to be at risk from project.
7) For data centers: building should be limited countrywide or regionally unless a sufficient supply of renewable energy is present to power data centers primarily with renewable sources.
8) For battery storage: projects must be monitored and have high resolution imaging, wide field of view and real time monitoring to mitigate fires. And nearby fire departments must be specifically qualified to handle chemical fires.
9) Community input does not mean prolonging projects or processes. We must separate needed regulation (and community input) from unneeded or prolonged regulation. (eg: CEQA should be risk-based, where not every category requires an outsourced consultant report)
10) Communities have a right to know and expect a second local approval process if any adaptations/change orders to the projects substantially impact the environmental, social or economic aspects of the community.