As Indiana cities see more data centers express interest in setting down roots in the state, local communities and environmental activists are expressing concern about the potential for the new facilities to create local health hazards.
Many have expressed anxiety about potential air pollution from the multiple diesel backup generators the facilities will rely on to run. Indiana already struggles with high levels of air pollution as a recent American Lung Association report revealed.
A Google data center in the southeastern portion of Fort Wayne will have at least 179 diesel generators, air emissions permits issued by the Indiana Department of Environmental Management show. In New Carlisle, which lies west of South Bend, permit documents show Amazon is seeking at least 234 diesel generators for its data center…