Data Centers
How AI Data Centers Are Affecting Delaware Communities
Data centers are quickly popping up throughout the country as the power and energy demands of AI technology continue to grow. These AI data centers require massive amounts of electricity and water, which means that companies are trying to force these projects through before the effects on consumer utility prices and quality of life are addressed.
Current New Castle County Data Center Proposal
Starwood Digital Adventures LLC wants to build an enormous data center near the Delaware City Refinery. According to the company, the proposed data center could use more than twice the amount of power as all the homes in Delaware. The public is being denied the ability to have a say in what will be a massive change to Delaware electrical prices.
Contact your County Councilmember and State Legislators!
The public is being shut out of this process in Delaware. Please contact your county councilmember and state legislators to let them know that the public has a right to have a say in these proposals.
New Castle County Councilmembers
- Monique Williams Johns, President, monique.johns@newcastlede.gov
- Brandon Toole, District 1, brandon.toole@newcastlede.gov
- Dee Durham, District 2, dee.durham@newcastlede.gov
- Janet Kilpatrick, District 3, janet.kilpatrick@newcastlede.gov
- Penrose Hollins, District 4, penrose.hollins@newcastlede.gov
- Valerie George, District 5, valerie.george@newcastlede.gov
- David Carter, District 6, david.carter@newcastlede.gov
- George Smiley, District 7, george.smiley@newcastlede.gov
- John Cartier, District 8, john.cartier@newcastlede.gov
- Timothy Sheldon, District 9, timothy.sheldon@newcastlede.gov
- Jea Street, District 10, jea.street@newcastlede.gov
- David Tackett, District 11, david.tackett@newcastlede.gov
- Kevin Caneco, District 12, kevin.caneco@newcastlede.gov
You can use the sample letter below to contact your Councilmember or State Legislator or write your own letter. A personalized letter always has a bigger impact. You should make sure that you let them know why this issue is important to you.
Dear Councilmember/Representative/Senator [Name],
AI Data Centers have the potential to significantly affect ordinary Delaware consumers. These projects should be subject to public engagement and approval by local bodies.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
Recent news coverage
- Spotlight Delaware, "Vote on controversial data center regulations delayed, again" (December 7, 2025)
- Delaware Public Media, "As data center looms, lawmakers and regulators seek ways to protect ratepayers from bigger electric bills" (December 5, 2025)
- The News Journal, "Data center project in Delaware City still a long way from reality" (December 1, 2025)
- Spotlight Delaware, "NCC data center regulations vote delayed to December after tense meeting" (November 20, 2025)
- The News Journal, "New Castle County Council delays data center vote" (November 18, 2025)
- WDEL, "Sponsor plans to table data center ordinance in response to '11th-hour amendments'" (November 18, 2025)
- Delaware Business Times, "Viewpoint: Transparency matters in data center development" (November 14, 2025)
- Spotlight Delaware, "New Castle County Council may relent on regulating Project Washington data center" (November 5, 2025)
- Delaware Business Now, "Proposed legislation calls for regulators to require operating certificate for data centers" (November 5, 2025)
- WDEL, "New Castle County Council battles over timeline for data center restrictions" (November 5, 2025)
- Spotlight Delaware, "Delaware City data center commits to union labor ahead of hearings" (October 29, 2025)
- Delaware Public Media, "Project Washington data center partners with local Delaware unions" (October 28, 2025)
- Delaware Public Media, "As Delaware mulls plans for massive data center, worries persist over electric rates" (October 24, 2025)
- Bay to Bay News, "Delaware moves to protect ratepayers from cost shifts amid debate over controversial data center project" (October 20, 2025)
- Delaware Public Media, "The Public Advocate moving to keep data centers from shifting energy costs to residents" (October 15, 2025)
- Bay to Bay News, "Starwood Digital Ventures CEO further outlines Delaware City data center plans" (October 10, 2025)
- WDEL, "New Castle County looking to set stronger guardrails for data centers ahead of proposed Delaware City project" (October 7, 2025)
- Politico, "Delaware eyes limits on data centers as megaproject looms" (October 2, 2025)
- Delaware Public Media, "New bill would impose more regulations on data centers looking to set up shop in Delaware" (September 29, 2025)
- WHYY, "Delaware data center proposal continues to face public opposition as state and local officials propose new regulations" (September 4, 2025)
- Delaware Public Media, "Mega Del. City data center awaits state-level approval, county officials still have concerns" (August 19, 2025)
- Spotlight Delaware, "Delaware City data center will likely increase resident energy bills, experts say" (August 8, 2025)
- Delaware Public Media, "Proposed data center in New Castle County faces push back over various issues" (August 8, 2025)
- Bay to Bay News, "Proposed Delaware City data center faces pushback" (August 7, 2025)
- Spotlight Delaware, "Delaware City data center plans submitted, starting clock on controversial project" (August 5, 2025)
- Spotlight Delaware, "New data center rules proposed in New Castle County after resident outcry" (July 29, 2025)
- The News Journal, "Will the data center plan near Delaware City be approved under the Coastal Zone Act?" (August 19, 2025)
- Bay to Bay News, "Stevenson: How a data center could affect electric bills" (July 31, 2025)
- WHYY, "New Castle County residents fight back against proposed data center" (July 25, 2025)
- Spotlight Delaware, "Delaware House Speaker calls on county to deny proposed data center" (July 25, 2025)
- Delaware Public Media, "Public raises concerns over proposed data center in Delaware City" (July 25, 2025)
- The News Journal, "Data center proposed near Delaware City: What to know, new legislation and public meeting" (July 24, 2025)
- Delaware Public Media, "‘It’s craziness’: Plan for vast data center dominates energy stakeholders’ panel" (July 22, 2025)
- Spotlight Delaware, "Proposed Delaware data center’s energy needs would dwarf all state households" (July 20, 2025)