Episode 175: Data Centers and the Environment with "Protect our Aquifer"

In this episode, Sara Smith and I chat with Scott Schoefernacker and Sarah Houston of "Protect Our Aquifer,", a water resource nonprofit in Memphis, TN. This podcast centers on the Memphis Sand Aquifer and the potential impact of data centers on the environment. Timeline of our conversation:00:41 What is an aquifer and its significance?03:41 The origin story of "Protect our Aquifer"06:41 How big is the Memphis Sand Aquifer? 6:26 Sara Smith relates, in her opinion, what happened when the data center came knocking in Ripley, TN9:21 Data centers and the impact on power and water11:28 Ripley moratorium12:54 How do communities do the research?16: Community Benefits Agreement (informal) vs a Data Center Ordinance (legally binding)19:34 Should Data Centers be contributing to the communities they build in?21: 55 How should citizens engage in the pushback and questions to ask?22:52 Environmental regulations including: EPA, TDEC, WHPP (wellhead protection plan)26:52 Zoning and community planning.30:38 Access to records and why a data center ordinance is critical for a single point of access to fact-find regarding the impact of data centers on their communities and surrounding environment. 35:15 PFAS and "forever chemicals"36:37 Upcoming Community events by "Protect our Aquifer" (POA)