Dear Friends,

This is a friendly reminder that you’re invited to join the Western Environmental Law Center for a special webinar unpacking the environmental impacts of data centers and what they mean for the West featuring WELC attorneys Morgan O'Grady and Sangye Ince-Johannsen.

As artificial intelligence fuels an unprecedented boom in data center development, communities across the West are grappling with the environmental consequences. Data centers are large facilities that house servers and supporting infrastructure that power websites and other digital services people increasingly rely on. These facilities require enormous amounts of water, land, and energy, and when poorly planned, can have significant impacts on public lands, wildlife, water resources, and nearby communities.

Join us to explore the environmental and legal challenges these projects present, and why thoughtful planning, strong environmental safeguards, and meaningful public participation are essential to ensuring that technological progress doesn’t come at the expense of the places we all call home.



When: Monday, August 31

11:00am-12:00pm Pacific Time (12:00pm-1:00pm Mountain Time) 

Where: Zoom

All registrants be entered to win a Western Environmental Law Center Klean Kanteen stainless steel pint cup!

Featured Speakers:  

Morgan O'Grady (she/her/hers)

Attorney



Morgan joined WELC as a research attorney in 2021 after earning a J.D. from Northeastern University School of Law. While in law school, she interned with Earthjustice, the California Department of Justice, WildEarth Guardians, and the Charles River Watershed Association. She holds a B.A. in environmental studies from Wellesley College. Morgan works from our Southwest office. 

Sangye Ince-Johannsen (he/him/his)

Attorney

Sangye joined WELC as a legal fellow in 2019 and became a staff attorney in 2020, He earned his law degree cum laude at Lewis & Clark Law School with certificates in Environmental and International Law. Upon graduating, Sangye received the Williamson Public Interest Environmental Law Award, was selected as a recipient of the Environmental, Natural Resources, and Energy Law Leadership Award, and was selected as a member of the Cornelius Honor Society. While a law student, he worked for Center for Biological Diversity, Earthrise Law Center, Northwest Environmental Defense Center, and World Animal Protection. Sangye earned his B.A. in Anthropology summa cum laude from Southern Oregon University in 2012, and spent four years producing documentary films and videos for nonprofit groups in southern Oregon before enrolling in law school.



All registrants will receive the recording of the webinar after the event. We hope you'll join us!

With gratitude,

Michelle Loth

Development Associate

P.S. Donate in the month of August and your gift will be matched dollar-for-dollar up to $15,000 by our business supporters!

Western Environmental Law Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to defending the western U.S. Donations are tax-deductible as allowable by law. WELC does not rent, sell, or trade your contact information.

WELC received a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator, is certified Platinum Level by Candid, and is accredited as a charity by the Better Business Bureau. Banner artwork by Suze Wehr