Heat, algae and AI: proposed datacenter could damage Everglades, experts warn
Summary
Developers have proposed a large datacenter called Project Tango near the northern edge of the Florida Everglades. Environmental experts warn that the datacenter’s heat and energy use could worsen toxic algae blooms and harm the local wetlands, which have already been damaged by drought and pollution.Key Facts
- Project Tango is a proposed 600 megawatt (MW) hyperscale datacenter on 202 acres near the Everglades in western Palm Beach County, Florida.
- The Florida Everglades wetlands have been under restoration with $6 billion spent by state and federal government after damage from drainage and development.
- The datacenter could increase water temperatures, worsening blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) blooms in nearby waterways.
- These algae blooms produce microcystin, a toxin harmful to humans, animals, and drinking water.
- Lake Okeechobee, which feeds into the Everglades, has experienced large algae blooms recently, prompting health alerts.
- The datacenter’s high electricity use would be similar to the power consumption of about 500,000 US homes.
- Local groups and environmental lawyers have raised concerns about water, air, sound impacts, and increased heat from the datacenter.
- President Donald Trump expressed support for datacenters covering their own electricity costs and encouraged local communities to accept such projects.
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