From having helped win data center battles and from studying others, CEDS has found that the key to success is identifying the permit-approval offering the best opportunity to resolve issues – impacts – and win safeguards or nix a project so poorly-planned that resolution isn’t possible. We’ve have observed that all too often once rezoning or other initial approvals are granted, many others needed before a data center can be built are not pursued. As a result, opportunities are missed to resolve impacts and to stop poorly planned projects. A new checklist of the data center permits, approvals, issues, safeguards, and strategy options listed below is posted at the following link: https://ceds.org/datacenterchecklist. The checklist provides a starting point for determining if each is applicable to a proposed data center and, if so, whether they can serve to resolve impacts or stop a poorly planned project.
Air Pollution Discharge Permit Annexation Appeals Attorneys Buffers (Aquatic Resource) Building Permit Clearing Permit Comprehensive Land Use Plan Conditional Use Permit Construction Access & Route Cooling Water Contaminants Data Center Monitoring Development Rights Agreement Electricity Erosion & Sediment Control Expert Witnesses Fire Prevention Floodplain Encroachment Forest & Tree Preservation Grading Permit Groundwater Recharge Area Protection Health Impacts Highway Access Permit Historic & Cultural Resources Independent Studies & Applicant Funding Jobs
Landscape Plan Lighting Plan | Local Elected Official Approval Mobilizing Support Moratorium Noise Onsite (Septic) Wastewater Disposal Petitions Planning Board/Commission Approval Planned Unit Development Property Line Setback Rare-Threatened-Endangered Species Sewer Access Permit Site Plan Special Exception/Use Permit State & Federal Decision-Makers Stormwater Management Subdivision Plan Tax Revenue Traffic Impact Uniquely Sensitive-Important Aquatic Resources-Upland Habitat Variance/Waiver Water Use Water Appropriation Permit Water Service Connection Permit Water (Pollution) Discharge Permit Waterway Construction Permit Wetland Permit Zoning Change |