It was impressive to say the least.
A team of high-ranking Amazon officials presented an informative briefing to local media representatives in a closed door, no recording meeting Monday (July 27) at the NELP conference room.
As expected, the detailed presentations were overwhelming with the amount of data shared by well-qualified individuals who discussed Amazon’s commitment to the local community, energy and water, work force training, and noise.
Although no recording was allowed, a transcript of the 90-minute session would fill a typical paperback novel.
Energy, water and noise top the list of data center concerns, and these issues were addressed head on in a no holds barred fashion.
Amazon repeatedly stated that its electricity requirements would NOT increase consumer electricity bills. They also constantly reiterated that Amazon would pay for all SWEPCO infrastructure upgrades needed to service the planned data centers.
Simply put, local Amazon data centers will not increase electricity bills for consumers.
The planned data centers will be the most advanced Amazon has constructed, which will further reduce energy demand beyond Amazon’s highly touted low energy consumption rating compared to the industry standard.
Amazon’s energy consumption will be regulated by the Louisiana Public Service Commission.
Data centers use water for forced air cooling which is long standing industry practice and Amazon’s water utilization is less than the industry standard.
Water will be recycled three times for cooling before discharge, with no environmental pollutants.
Amazon will pay for water delivery infrastructure upgrades.
Amazon's water consumption will not increase consumer water bills.
Amazon’s acoustics department is an industry first and its 15 engineers utilize and develop many noise reduction measures to reduce ambient noise from its data centers.
Data center backup generators will have noise reduction features and will be utilized less than 10 hours a year unless there is a power outage at a center.
This department also takes proactive measures to reduce construction noise.
Bottomline, the assembled group promised that the planned data centers for Caddo and Bossier Parish will feature cutting edge technology that will substantially reduce any negative environmental impact.
Not surprisingly, no negative data center information was provided at the well orchestrated the dog and pony show, which was chock-full of mind boggling technical poop on electricity, water and noise.
The cherry on top was the free mints and pens in the conference room along the half-fun pan of brownies on a chart outside the conference room was an added treat for yours truly as he hooked one going out the door.
John came to Shreveport in January of 1977 when he was transferred to Barksdale AFB.
He’s been active in Shreveport politics since deciding to make Shreveport his home.
John practiced law for 40 years and he now monitors local politics. He regularly attends Shreveport City Council and Caddo Parish Commission meetings.
John is published weekly in The Inquisitor, bi-monthly in The Forum News, and frequently in the Shreveport Times.
He enjoys addressing civic groups on local government issues and elections.