{"id":71288,"date":"2026-06-18T18:07:20","date_gmt":"2026-06-18T22:07:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lakelandgazette.info\/news\/?p=71288"},"modified":"2026-06-18T18:07:30","modified_gmt":"2026-06-18T22:07:30","slug":"letter-data-centers-why","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lakelandgazette.info\/news\/2026\/06\/18\/letter-data-centers-why\/","title":{"rendered":"Letter: Data Centers, Why?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">By Angela Rotunda Otero<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" data-dominant-color=\"3b4d50\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #3b4d50;\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"504\" height=\"600\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1110px) 100vw, 1110px\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/lakelandgazette.info\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/726220526_4628315974055049_5079694546083164400_n.webp?resize=504%2C600&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-71289 not-transparent\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/lakelandgazette.info\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/726220526_4628315974055049_5079694546083164400_n.webp?w=504&amp;ssl=1 504w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/lakelandgazette.info\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/726220526_4628315974055049_5079694546083164400_n.webp?resize=252%2C300&amp;ssl=1 252w\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I&#8217;ve spent the last several days researching the proposed data centers coming to Polk County and other parts of Florida.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This isn&#8217;t about being anti-technology. Most of us use the internet, cloud services, and AI every day. The question is whether these projects are being planned in a way that protects Florida&#8217;s future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Many large data centers require enormous amounts of electricity and, depending on their cooling systems, can use significant amounts of water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Florida&#8217;s aquifers, springs, lakes, wetlands, and waterways are some of our most valuable resources. Once they&#8217;re damaged, restoring them can be difficult, expensive, or impossible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The questions I believe we should be asking are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" height=\"16\" width=\"16\" alt=\"\ud83d\udca7\" src=\"https:\/\/static.xx.fbcdn.net\/images\/emoji.php\/v9\/t42\/1\/16\/1f4a7.png\"> How much water will these facilities use?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" height=\"16\" width=\"16\" alt=\"\ud83d\udca7\" src=\"https:\/\/static.xx.fbcdn.net\/images\/emoji.php\/v9\/t42\/1\/16\/1f4a7.png\"> Where will that water come from?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" height=\"16\" width=\"16\" alt=\"\ud83d\udca7\" src=\"https:\/\/static.xx.fbcdn.net\/images\/emoji.php\/v9\/t42\/1\/16\/1f4a7.png\"> What happens during drought conditions?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" height=\"16\" width=\"16\" alt=\"\ud83d\udca7\" src=\"https:\/\/static.xx.fbcdn.net\/images\/emoji.php\/v9\/t42\/1\/16\/1f4a7.png\"> What are the long-term impacts on our aquifers, springs, lakes, and wetlands?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" height=\"16\" width=\"16\" alt=\"\u26a1\" src=\"https:\/\/static.xx.fbcdn.net\/images\/emoji.php\/v9\/t5d\/1\/16\/26a1.png\"> How much power will be required?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" height=\"16\" width=\"16\" alt=\"\ud83d\udc77\" src=\"https:\/\/static.xx.fbcdn.net\/images\/emoji.php\/v9\/t2c\/1\/16\/1f477.png\"> How many permanent local jobs will be created once construction is complete?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" height=\"16\" width=\"16\" alt=\"\ud83d\udccb\" src=\"https:\/\/static.xx.fbcdn.net\/images\/emoji.php\/v9\/t2b\/1\/16\/1f4cb.png\"> What protections and safeguards will be required?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This isn&#8217;t just a Polk County issue. The decisions being made today could affect communities throughout Florida for generations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We don&#8217;t get a second Floridan Aquifer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We don&#8217;t get replacement springs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We don&#8217;t get replacement ecosystems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Whether you support these projects or oppose them, I believe the public deserves transparency, honest answers, and a seat at the table before major decisions are made.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Florida isn&#8217;t just where we live.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It&#8217;s what we&#8217;re leaving to our children and grandchildren.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">WHAT YOU CAN DO:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" height=\"16\" width=\"16\" alt=\"\u2705\" src=\"https:\/\/static.xx.fbcdn.net\/images\/emoji.php\/v9\/t33\/1\/16\/2705.png\"> Attend local commission and council meetings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" height=\"16\" width=\"16\" alt=\"\u2705\" src=\"https:\/\/static.xx.fbcdn.net\/images\/emoji.php\/v9\/t33\/1\/16\/2705.png\"> Ask questions respectfully and demand clear answers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" height=\"16\" width=\"16\" alt=\"\u2705\" src=\"https:\/\/static.xx.fbcdn.net\/images\/emoji.php\/v9\/t33\/1\/16\/2705.png\"> Contact elected officials and share your concerns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" height=\"16\" width=\"16\" alt=\"\u2705\" src=\"https:\/\/static.xx.fbcdn.net\/images\/emoji.php\/v9\/t33\/1\/16\/2705.png\"> Read the proposals for yourself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" height=\"16\" width=\"16\" alt=\"\u2705\" src=\"https:\/\/static.xx.fbcdn.net\/images\/emoji.php\/v9\/t33\/1\/16\/2705.png\"> Share information with friends and neighbors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" height=\"16\" width=\"16\" alt=\"\u2705\" src=\"https:\/\/static.xx.fbcdn.net\/images\/emoji.php\/v9\/t33\/1\/16\/2705.png\"> Stay engaged even when the headlines fade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The people who show up are often the people who shape the future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Protect Polk County. Protect Florida.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>By Angela Rotunda Otero I&#8217;ve spent the last several days researching the proposed data centers coming to Polk County and other parts of Florida. This isn&#8217;t about being anti-technology. 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