LETTER: Vermont Conservation Voters launches ‘Don't Data Center Vermont’ campaign
September 3, 2026
To the Community:
Vermont Conservation Voters has launched a new campaign dubbed “Don't Data Center Vermont,” urging Vermonters to get informed about how to protect Vermont communities from the costs and environmental harm of large-scale data centers.
Across the country, communities are pushing back on large-scale data centers as they drive up energy costs, strain local water supplies, and bring heat, noise, PFAS and climate pollution to the towns that host them. Vermont has no large-scale data centers yet, but developers have already proposed them, and the pressure to build more will only grow as Artificial Intelligence expands.
Earlier this year, Vermont lawmakers overwhelmingly passed H.727, the Sustainable Data Center Deployment Act, with strong bipartisan support. The bill would have put clear, common-sense guardrails in place before any large-scale data center could be built in Vermont, protecting natural resources and local communities. But because of Gov. Phil Scott’s veto, the bill didn’t pass and left Vermonters without proper protections.
The threat of data centers is real in Vermont, and the governor’s veto in June has left Vermont unprotected and at risk. Data centers across the country have raised energy rates, polluted waters, and left host communities with increased noise and air pollution. We must protect Vermonters and our communities, and let the billionaire Big Tech corporations who are building them know that Vermont is not for sale.
About the impacts:
There are six states in the United States where data centers already consume over 10% of the electricity supply, with Virginia leading at 25%.
There are data centers being built with emissions equivalent to 10% of Vermont's total air pollution.
It’s estimated that an average medium-sized data center uses around 110 million gallons of water annually.
Data centers generate noise levels that may exceed 90 decibels, enough to cause an increase in stress, blood pressure, sleep deprivation and decreased cognitive performance, which is harmful to humans and wildlife.
Don't Data Center Vermont calls on Vermonters to stand up for their communities. It’s a campaign intended to give Vermonters tools to make their voices heard, including an option to sign a petition, get a lawn sign, and get involved with Vermont Conservation Voters to ensure data centers don’t steamroll Vermont communities or damage valuable natural resources.
Get involved! Find out more aboutthis campaign, what we’re doing, and how you can participate atdontdatacentervermont.com.
Sign the petition. Tell your elected officials and state leaders you want them to stand up to Big Tech and protect Vermont communities from the harmful impacts of data centers.
Get on the list for a yard sign. Put this issue in front of your neighbors and share the movement.Chip in. Your donation funds the community organizing and materials that move this campaign forward.
Vermont Conservation Voters works to make environmental protection a top priority for elected officials, candidates, and voters. VCV works side-by-side with your elected officials to help pass legislation that will ensure Vermont offers a bright future for our children and grandchildren.
Dan Fingas, executive director
Vermont Conservation Voters