Noise
Data center construction and ongoing operation generate significant noise pollution, including from generators, heating and cooling systems, and energy infrastructure. This can result in negative health consequences and a lower quality of life for both workers and nearby residents, from headaches, stress, and disrupted sleep, which in turn can lead to cognitive impairment and cardiovascular risks. There are also significant impacts on local wildlife, with noise pollution disrupting animals’ communication including alerts to danger, and can impact migration patterns.
Local Interventions
Local governments can use zoning ordinances to implement strong noise-mitigation measures to protect residents from the noise emitted from data centers.
Require Sound-Modeling Studies
Require developers to complete a noise study and mitigation plan as part of the approval process. Require that sound studies account for impulse noise, continuous noise, and low-frequency noise levels, as well as for noise coming from emergency diesel generators. Require that studies be conducted during peak operations and include times when generators are running.
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Require developers to complete a noise study and mitigation plan as part of the approval process. Require that sound studies account for impulse noise, continuous noise, and low-frequency noise levels, as well as for noise coming from emergency diesel generators. Require that studies be conducted during peak operations and include times when generators are running.
Set Permissible Noise Levels
Set the lowest possible threshold for continuous noise. The ordinance currently with the lowest thresholds, from Divide County, North Dakota, establishes that the maximum continuous sound levels for data centers cannot exceed 50 dBA during the daytime and 45 dBA at night. These thresholds should include low-frequency noise levels and noise coming from ancillary data […]
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Set the lowest possible threshold for continuous noise. The ordinance currently with the lowest thresholds, from Divide County, North Dakota, establishes that the maximum continuous sound levels for data centers cannot exceed 50 dBA during the daytime and 45 dBA at night. These thresholds should include low-frequency noise levels and noise coming from ancillary data center usage (such as emergency diesel generators and construction). Thresholds may vary depending on zoning (for example, if a data center abuts a residential zone).
Note: The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) threshold for requiring hearing protection is 85 dbA over eight hours. Noise around data centers can reach up to 92 dBa.
Strong example
Divide County, North Dakota, establishes the maximum continuous sound level for data centers during the daytime as 50 dBA, and 45 dBA at night.
Strong Example
Marana, Arizona, stipulates that maximum sound levels for data centers cannot exceed 55 dBA in residential and mixed-use properties during both daytime and nighttime.
Example
Phoenix, Arizona, and McPherson County, South Dakota, stipulate that noise levels cannot exceed 55 dBA during the day and 45 dBA from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. for data centers abutting residential zones.
Weak Example
Coweta County, Georgia, stipulates that noise levels for data centers cannot exceed 5 dBA above ambient from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m., or 10 dBA above ambient from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Per the ordinance, the county will conduct an ambient noise survey. This strategy creates the risk that minimum thresholds could be set higher than recommended.
Require Noise-Mitigation Measures
Require data centers to undergo mitigation measures to reduce noise pollution. example Tempe, Arizona, requires that “generators for data centers shall be located within an enclosed building with necessary ventilation to reduce impacts on noise to surrounding area.”
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Require data centers to undergo mitigation measures to reduce noise pollution.
example
Tempe, Arizona, requires that “generators for data centers shall be located within an enclosed building with necessary ventilation to reduce impacts on noise to surrounding area.”
Establish Enforcement Mechanisms
The local government must build out an enforcement mechanism to ensure that data centers abide by noise regulations, including a complaint process for residents and regular monitoring. Some cities have recommended that a specially trained public works unit enforce the new noise ordinance. Penalties should involve non-nominal fines and civil penalties, including removal of the […]
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The local government must build out an enforcement mechanism to ensure that data centers abide by noise regulations, including a complaint process for residents and regular monitoring. Some cities have recommended that a specially trained public works unit enforce the new noise ordinance. Penalties should involve non-nominal fines and civil penalties, including removal of the certificate of occupancy.
Note: Cities may have to amend their zoning code to increase the acceptable fines, and may need to ascertain the legality of occupancy removal.
Weak example
In Prince William County, Virginia, the penalty for repeated violations of a noise ordinance tops out at $5,000. This is not a sufficient penalty for a billion-dollar company.