JOIN US next Tuesday, August 25 at 6:30 PM for the next Delete Data Centers campaign meeting, where we will be discussing the recent moratorium that was passed and next steps! ALL ARE WELCOME -- you do NOT need to be a member to organize with us to prevent data centers from being built in our community!
Last week on August 13th, Metro Council voted to pass a 180-day moratorium on data centers and telecommunications hotels. Councilwoman Tammy Hawkins motioned for an amendment to extend the proposed 180-day moratorium to 365 days. This vote failed with 15 Councilmembers voting no on extending the moratorium:
Andrew Owen (D9)
Kevin Kramer (D11)
Jonathan Joseph (D12)
Dan Seum (D13)
Crystal Bast (D14)
Scott Reed (D16)
Markus Winkler (D17)
Marilyn Parker (D18)
Anthony Piagentini (D19)
Stuart Benson (D20)
Kevin Bratcher (D22)
Jeff Hudson (D23)
Ginny Mulvey-Woolridge (D24)
Khalil Batshon (D25)
Brent Ackerson (D26)
Unfortunately, these Councilmembers chose to bend to corporate pressure, coincidentally less than three months away from this year's elections.
The local community has spoken out in huge numbers demanding transparency, accountability, and thorough research into the effects of data centers on our environment, our health, and our economy; these things are needed in order for Louisvillians to make informed decisions for their neighbors and families. The failure to extend the moratorium to a full year shows that Metro Council does not heed the demands of the communities that will be impacted most by these data centers.
We, the Louisville Democratic Socialists of America, enthusiastically support a 365-day - or an indefinite - moratorium on data centers.
Louisville DSA would like to thank DSA members Councilwoman Shameka Parrish-Wright (D3) and Councilman JP Lyninger (D6), as well as the other eight Metro Council representatives who voted to extend the proposed moratorium: Tammy Hawkins (D1), Barbara Shanklin (D2), Ken Herndon (D4), Donna Purvis (D5), Paula McCraney (D7), Josie Raymond (D10), Jennifer Chappell (D15), and Betsy Ruhe (D21).
While a six-month moratorium on new data center projects within Jefferson County is a good start, it is woefully deficient and does not meet the demands of the working-class residents who have spoken to the proposed regulations presented by the Metro Planning Commission.
The democratic process must be expanded to force Metro Government to be more responsive to the demands of our citizens.
We would like to reiterate our demand for democratic input on Planning Commission nominations, an immediate pause on construction of the project on Camp Ground Road, developed by Steve Poe and Powerhouse Data Centers, as well as an extension of the moratorium to a minimum of one year to allow for public input and research into how data centers will impact the health, the environment, and the wallets of local rate payers.
If you would like to stand up to these corporate interests and fight for your voice to be heard, join our Delete Data Centers campaign.
Do not click on links or call back numbers you don't know. This happens in Louisville and everywhere.
And MS has plans for something even more ridiculous than Steve Poe's DC on Bear Camp Rd. 🤬😡🤬
Serious post!