Let's make the Data Center debate more civil

In the ongoing debate regarding the proposed data center in Newark, civility has been lost. Both sides are firmly entrenched in their positions, facing off over the no man's land of misunderstanding. I don't expect. here now, to persuade the combatants. I would like to venture out into the middle ground and invite the rest of us to do the same, in an effort to bridge the divide.

Both sides have accused the other of lying and attempting to deceive the public. All either side is guilty of is taking the data available and presenting it in such a way that it supports their arguments. Is this deception? Is this lying? If it is then everything we hear or read is deception and lies as everything spoken or written is done so with the intent of presenting the speaker's or writer's point of view. There is no such thing as unbiased communication. We all speak from our own unique point of view. I am here presenting my bias, that the public interest is better served by open communication and understanding, not in further fracturing a fractured community.

When it comes right down to it, we all want the same things. We want safe, healthy communities, in which the economy is strong enough to support ourselves and our children. Both sides in this conflict want this. Would it not be possible, to start from this point of agreement and work back toward how best to accomplish this?

Newark Residents Against the Power Plant, point out the gross emissions from The Data Center facility. Those numbers look large and when presented without context are scary. TDC supporters present the emission data compared to the current generation in our electrical grid (PJM covering parts of 13 states). The pollution reductions when presented this way are significant. TDC supporters present the employment numbers using a commonly accepted formula based on their investment. NRAPP question those numbers as being too high. Project opponents claim the TDC facility will depress home values. Supporters will point out the hit property values took when Chrysler pulled out. I could continue, but I think my point is understood.

The truth is in the data presented by both sides. There will be emissions from the facility but they will be less than the emissions would be if power was utilized from the grid. The job numbers might be less than the formula projects but there will be many more jobs than there are currently on the site. In addition, TDC has agreed to use union workers so the workers will be well represented. Will home values be further depressed? That question will be answered over time but rest assured a billion-plus-dollar investment in Newark will stimulate economic activity, and if past experience is any indicator, more money circulating in the economy tends to support home values.

We are entering the information age. Data is everywhere. It pervades every aspect of our lives. Everyone on both sides agrees we need more data centers to protect, store and manage our data. Our current fleet of data centers are less efficient, prone to disruption of service and are backed up with diesel generators and banks of toxic batteries. TDC is proposing to build the nation's most efficient and secure data storage and management facility in Newark.

Is the project perfect? No. Can the project be made better? I think so. Can a fractured community be repaired? I hope so. But this can only happen if we choose to come together and work toward what we need – sustainable communities that are safe and healthy with economic opportunity for all.

Jim Black is with the Partnership for Sustainability in Delaware.