The Keweenaw Unitarian Universalist Fellowship (KUUF) will host a public forum online titled “What Are Data Centers and How Will They Impact Michigan?”, from 10:30-11:30 a.m. on Sunday, December 14.

Meeting ID: 839 7576 2265; Passcode: KUUF
Or visit the KUUF webpage for the zoom link: keweenawuu.org/worship/forums/

The speakers will be Kalvin Carter and Audrey Gerard. They will talk about boom-and-bust industries like crypto mining, which use up natural resources without replenishing them, and big tech operations that do little to benefit the people who live nearby.

Data mining requires a lot of water to cool the operation. That’s why data mining operations have their eye on communities like ours, near the Great Lakes. After the water cools the servers, it drains into the ground, where it moves through the aquifer and back to the lake, potentially warming it.

Data mining operations also consume large amounts of electricity, which can raise power prices. And they create noise.

One example is a relatively small installation of cryptocurrency servers located across from Lake Superior Academy, a K-5 Montessori school in Dafter Township, Michigan, near Sault Saint Marie. The servers generate a constant noise that the school describes as “like jack hammers 24/7.” The school is suing Odessa Partners, the Florida owner of those servers.

Kalvin Carter is the director of Up North Advocacy, based in Sault Ste. Marie, an organization that encourages civic engagement, amplifying diverse voices, and advocating for positive change.  Since he learned about the Lake Superior Academy’s issue with the nearby cryptocurrency data mining operation, he has helped build partnerships, support local advocacy, and learn everything he can about how these industries affect rural communities.

Audrey Gerard is employed with Michigan United, a nonprofit organization focused on environmental protection. She has been working closely with Dr. Chloe Kannon,  director of EUP Solidarity, an advocacy group affiliated with Indivisible in Sault Ste. Marie, who serves on UP North Advocacy's Steering Committee.

Forums are approximately one hour long. The public is invited to participate.