“I give my pledge as an American to save and faithfully defend from waste the natural resources of my country—its air, its soil and minerals, its forests, waters and wildlife.” This was the Scout Conservation Oath I took as a girl. But that promise was not just words to say and it wasn’t just kid stuff.

That oath informs my choices to this day. I take shorter showers, turn out lights when I leave a room, recycle, do laundry in cold water, and consolidate trips to town to burn less gasoline. And I am sure you also practice the same mindful way of life.

We now have an opportunity to further protect the environment and our livelihood as data centers are coming our way. Due to the size of their electricity demand, they could harm the earth in countless ways.

But we can advocate for:

Data centers to provide their own clean energy and meet the best energy design standards;

Water feasibility studies to include environmental impacts;

Utilization of a closed-loop cooling system to reduce excessive water demand;

Local sound ordinances to protect people and wildlife.

So go to your township or borough meetings and find out if data centers are being proposed. If so, speak up to develop facilities that are as wise and as green as possible. You’ll be keeping that oath we made as kids and maybe even reduce your electric bill.

Jeanne L. Schwarz
Equinunk, PA