Not In My Backyard — By John Reed

Not In My Backyard
Everything old is new again. The NIMBY movement has wakened once again, this time opposing solar fields and data centers. Once it was an unwanted nuclear plant, then a waste management center, then a prison…and each time offering panicky “what ifs?” to ignite emotions.
The problem with the current debates is very few accurate facts are in evidence. Solar land use? Plenty of crops thrive with even higher yields under solar panels. Data center energy and water use? Net zero power and recycling have been proven to work.
Progress marches on whether we like it or not. Simply banning modern development just passes the buck to the next town over. If these industries are truly willing to pay dearly for land to develop, then they can be held to proven recycling standards. Maybe we need to hire an engineering consultant who actually knows the issues and offer solutions to local officials.
We’re already dependent on data centers: every time you go to a doctor, buy groceries, or use a school Chromebook, electrons flow to and from such places. Surely not even our most anti-progress progressives would deny us those services…or are you one of those who love fresh blueberries but don’t want your neighbor to plant a blueberry farm?
To be clear, I don’t advocate opening our county to rapacious profiteering corporations with no limits. But the solution is informed dialogue and understanding. To mix metaphors, allowing the Luddites to toss their sabots into the wheels of progress is a solution only ostriches would approve.
Lumber City built its development on river traffic; railroads passed it by. We don’t need to be next.