The St. Joseph County Commissioners meeting on October 29, 2024, focused on the ongoing comment period regarding a permit for a new data center facility at SBN 100, located at 55001 Larison Boulevard. Several concerns were raised about the project's environmental impact, particularly regarding emissions and water management.

One key issue discussed was the classification of SBN 100 as a separate entity from nearby sites SBN 201 and SBN 250. This classification allows Amazon to keep SBN 100 below the threshold that would require additional oversight and monitoring of emissions. Questions were raised about the emergency generators planned for the site and whether they would serve only SBN 100 or all three projects. If the generators are for the entire project, it could lead to significant oversight regarding emissions and airborne pollutants due to the proximity of the sites.

Concerns were also expressed about the potential environmental risks associated with the large number of emergency generators, which could total around 750, containing approximately 5 million gallons of diesel fuel situated above a freshwater aquifer. This raised alarms about the possible contamination of local water sources.

Additionally, the discussion included the dewatering practices of Amazon, which involves draining water from SBN 100 and SBN 201 into the Nesbazani ditch. It was noted that while Amazon believed a single dewatering permit covered both sites, the county surveyor indicated that separate permits are necessary. This inconsistency led to questions about Amazon's understanding of the separate entities and their compliance with environmental regulations.

Overall, the meeting highlighted significant concerns regarding the environmental implications of the data center project and the need for clear regulatory oversight as the comment period comes to a close. The commissioners are expected to consider these issues carefully as they move forward with the permitting process.