Date: 4/20/26 11:40 am From: Lynn Foster <lfoster5211...> Subject: Data Centers and AAS
Dear Arbirders,
A number of you have emailed AAS and also posted on this site about the data centers either already existing or proposed. Last night the AAS Board discussed this issue. The Board authorized a written comment to the Army Corps of Engineers concerning the proposed data center on Little Rock Port Authority land--their deadline is May 1. Once the letter is written and approved, we will post it here on Arbird for all to see and use all or part of.
Local conditions will vary from site to site. These include:
- Identity of the land seller - Which local (county, municipal) governments are involved - Terms of the agreements (usually parties must sign non-disclosure agreements) - Types of power sources
But the underlying issues regarding data centers are the same from site to site. These hinge on the environmental restrictions, if any, to be imposed on data centers (sustainability of power and water use, noise restrictions, wildlife habitat). The Board has approved the creation of a "white paper" to be published by AAS in the near future laying out AAS's position on data centers in general. Sustainable data centers that do not destroy valuable habitat and do not produce harmful noise can be beneficial. Unfortunately the state of Arkansas has not imposed such limitations.
So--stay tuned, in the short term for the comment to ACE, and in the next couple of months for a white paper that will contain information that will hopefully be of use to those writing letters and comments.
Lynn Foster President, Arkansas Audubon Society (for five more days!!)
