Thirty years ago, my family moved to a 200-acre piece of land that included a Christmas tree farm, classified forest and tillable farmland.
Unlike some other physicians, my goal was to live in the same community where I was practicing medicine. Having lived in downtown Indianapolis and Cincinnati for years, I had no desire to deal with the traffic, congestion and the narrow lot lines of the city.
The next three decades were spent raising a family, clearing woods for walking trails, growing corn and beans, and making our little corner of Morgan County a place where family, friends and church groups could get outside and enjoy part of God’s creation.
It took time, money and sweat to develop the property, not for myself, but to give others the opportunity to share in this beautiful corner of Indiana countryside. Five years ago, the property was subdivided into several parcels so our children, grandchildren and their children would be blessed in the same way we were.
Earlier this year, the Morgan County commissioners made what appeared to be an ill-advised and shortsighted decision to allow a massive data center to be built north of our homestead.
After reviewing the recordings of the public meetings leading up to their vote, it was clear that they did not seem to ask enough important questions, at least in public, or thoroughly investigate all the potential ramifications of allowing Google to go ahead with their project.
In 2003, I built a simple pole barn on our property. It took more than six months to obtain the necessary permits and inspections just to get approval before the foundation was even started. So, when construction on the data center project started almost immediately after approval, it was obvious that the project began moving forward months, if not years, before the public knew anything about it and the final vote was rendered.
We had read about the many problems other communities had to deal with when data centers were built, including expansion of roads, water, sewer and electricity. Yet, the development was still a mile away, and we hoped the intrusion would be minimal.
Perhaps the commissioners did, in fact, think the whole thing through before giving the go-ahead. After all, this is America, where elected officials are supposed to guard and protect their constituents and their right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Initially, I gave them the benefit of the doubt.
Then came the electric company — and not even our electric company. Within months after the start of construction on the new data center, AES gave notice to landowners, via a picture postcard, about several new proposed transmission line routes. As noted in their obligatory public meetings, they needed to deliver power to “one large-load customer.”
These meetings were well attended. I went to both and asked many questions. The answers were mainly condescending and elitist. AES was going through the motions. At the first meeting, I was told that AES would “try” and not place transmission lines over private and well-maintained driveways. At the second meeting, I was told that AES would “do what they had to do” to complete the project.
Currently, the most direct route chosen by AES would cross directly over our homestead. No longer will it be a place of undisturbed beauty and a natural woodland habitat. The opportunity to develop our land as hoped will be ended in perpetuity for the sake of corporate expansion and profits. Eminent domain relates to the public good, not just to one electric company and “one large-load customer.”
AES will replace Indiana hardwood with 115- to 195-foot steel towers flanked by 200-foot easements that will run the entire length of the grid. The experience of living on our land will require being exposed to 345-kilovolt transmission lines and the yet unknown effects of electromagnetic fields. The decision to subject family and loved ones to this long-term encroachment and exposure should be left up to the individual. Why is it, then, that AES is allowed to pursue their business plan at the cost of ending decades of work and sacrifice of private landowners?
Even the AES representatives recognized that these new transmission lines were not being built for the greater good of the general public.
I recognize that thousands of Hoosiers are dealing with greater problems than AES and data centers. I cannot blame families for selling out to Google and creating generational wealth. I will not derogate any of my fellow citizens if they give AES a property easement.
Although these decisions are individual choices, they do not negate the culpability of county leadership or excuse the greed of AES. Currently, corporate plans trump individual rights.
So much for life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness for the residents of Morgan County.
John B. Meding, M.D., is a longtime Morgan County resident and orthopedic surgeon who has practiced in Mooresville for more than 34 years.
