HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-09-21 David Cuthbert Testimony
From: David C
To: Planning LPC Testimony
Subject: Bill 170
Date: Monday, September 21, 2026 3:58:10 PM
My name is David Cuthbert and I live in Pahoa. I am writing to support the intent ofBill 170, and I ask the Planning Commission to recommend key changes beforesending it back to the County Council.
To close potential loopholes that a developer might exploit, I suggest considering thedefinition of a “data center” as outlined in 42 U.S. Code § 17112 as a starting point and adding to it as needed.
(1) Data center: The term “data center” means any facility that
primarily contains electronic equipment used to process, store,
and transmit digital information, which may be— (A) a free-
standing structure; or (B) a facility within a larger structure, that
uses environmental control equipment to maintain the proper
conditions for the operation of electronic equipment.
While land area limits have been used in similar laws around the U.S., the industry commonly measures data centers inmegawatts (MW). Therefore, I suggest a MW rating be used instead of, or in addition to, square footage. Setting a power limit smaller than present-day power density technology allows would effectively prevent "power creep" as technology advances. For example, for a 10,000-square-foot data center, a power limit of 5 MW is lower than what current technology can achieve.
Furthermore, establishing a limit on the total number of data centers along with a cap on the combined electrical power usage of all data centers on the island would prevent developers from ganging multiple facilities together to bypass the intent of Bill 170.
Likewise, residential “mini data centers” must be limited in both the number of units and their combined electrical usage. If left unregulated, these mini data centers could collectively form a massive network that severely burdens the island’s power grid.
Mahalo, David Cuthbert