The Seven Gateways Framework
Know where to fight. These seven critical intervention points represent hundreds of hours of collective learning from communities that have already fought these battles.
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Gateway 1: Site Selection & Land Acquisition
Early organizing during land assembly can raise costs and create uncertainty that halts projects before they’re announced.
Key Leverage Points
Proactive zoning, landowner education, public records monitoring
Track Record
Multiple projects stopped before announcement
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Gateway 2: Power & Utility Interconnection
Utility approval processes offer opportunities to expose true costs and rate impacts. Technical interventions here have stopped multiple projects.
Key Leverage Points
Grid impact studies, rate increase exposure, PUC interventions
Track Record
Projects stopped through utility commission challenges
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Gateway 3: Water Rights and Impacts
Environmental review requirements create formal comment periods where scientific evidence and community concerns must be addressed.
Key Leverage Points
Water usage studies, PFAS concerns, environmental impact statements
Track Record
Permits denied or heavily conditioned
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Gateway 4: Tax Incentive Negotiations
Public hearings on tax breaks offer high-visibility moments where economic analysis and organized opposition change votes.
Key Leverage Points
Fiscal impact challenges, job creation myths, public hearing turnout
Track Record
Tax packages reduced or denied
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Gateway 5: Financial Structuring & Credit Approvals
Documented community opposition affects project financing. Credit rating agencies and banks increasingly factor in ‘social license’ risk.
Key Leverage Points
ESG campaigns, investor pressure, social license documentation
Track Record
Projects delayed or restructured due to financing concerns
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Gateway 6: Construction & Operational Permits
Even approved projects need multiple permits. Each permit process offers leverage for conditions or delays that can reshape or stop projects.
Key Leverage Points
Permit monitoring, violation enforcement, community monitoring
Track Record
Projects reshaped through permit conditions
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Coming soon!
Gateway 7: Operational Oversight & Watchdogging
We are currently collecting information about how advocacy groups are doing their job of oversight on existing data centers. To contribute to this website, please join the network and/or contact us directly.