(This week’s civic education and engagement column from Danville’s The Republican newspaper.)
Social media chatter sites are one of the worst ways to learn about local government or issues. A handful I’ve seen are well-moderated, but the majority are a consistent source of misinformation, generating unproductive hysteria and unnecessary anger. That worries me because Facebook and friends have become the primary source of news and information for a big share of your neighbors.
Don’t take my word for it. A development site in Plainfield recently attracted a pair of data centers, provoking dozens of furious chatter posts and hundreds if not thousands of comments. Many posters authoritatively shared “facts” about the data center and the approval process. I’ll respond to those “facts” in the quotes that follow. (Most are summaries of multiple similar comments – and no, I have no personal stake in this project or the process. Just a bemused observer.)
- “The Plan Commission is pushing this.” There’s a vacant parcel of land in town and a data center wants to use it. If the zoning laws say data centers are an acceptable use for that category of land, the Plan Commission is ethically obligated to recommend approval.
- “The town tried to hide this.” Detailed information had been posted on the town’s website for several weeks and all legal requirements for notification were met.
- “This data center was rejected elsewhere.” This isn’t the same center, the same type, or one of the many other companies that have proposed centers in other parts of the state. The two proposed here were significantly smaller and of a different type than others I’ve seen.
- “Our water will be compromised, and our electric bills will rise exponentially.” I haven’t seen any evidence to suggest this particular project will cause either of those things.
- “I guess it was just a ‘coincidence’ that the water company just raised our rates.” Actually, it was a complete coincidence. They do happen.
- “It’s only going to have to pay 10% of the property taxes it owes.” That’s a misunderstanding of tax abatements. Across the life of the abatement, the owner will pay half of the normal taxes for the building and improvements, which is still significantly more than a vacant lot generates. Plus, there are no abatements for taxes on the land itself, which is also worth a lot more when it’s occupied than when it’s empty.
- “We don’t need these data centers.” We do, unless you want to give up smartphones and video streaming.
- “Data centers take so much water to run. Our bills will definitely go up.” If you read the details, you’ll find this type of data center uses very little water. And, if it did use more water, the owner would be paying for it, not you.
- “It’s taking away farmland.” The site was developed for industrial use nearly 20 years ago.
- “The council has been paid off.” If you have proof of that, I hope you’ve shared it with the State Police or the Attorney General. Publicly demeaning people with accusations you can’t back up with evidence is what’s known as libel.
- “Costco operates a water bottling facility in Plainfield.” No, a company called Niagara operates a facility that treats and bottles water for many retailers.
- “The citizens should not have to pay for it but we will.” No, you won’t. The owner will.
Most chatter content about issues like data centers is full of accusations of illegal collusion between local government, utilities, and developers. Those entities work together frequently – not cooking up secret plans, but because that’s legally required. Whenever posters cite an unidentified and mysterious “they” as some evil entity, I wouldn’t put much stock in whatever’s shared. People who trade in conspiracy theories rarely have a healthy grasp of the truth – and if you present the truth, they’ll insist you’re obviously part of the conspiracy. They may sound smart, but …
What’s my point? Ignorance is contagious. The next time you hear about a contentious issue in the county or your community, turning to social media chatter sites won’t connect you to accurate information. There are much better sources – this newspaper, for starters.