Summary:
Facebook received criticism from various green activists in 2010 for its decision to establish its newest data centre in Prineville, Oregon. Greenpeace took issue with the fact that the new data centre's electricity would be provided by Pacific Power which generates 60% of its electricity from coal.
Allegations:
- Greenpeace criticised the choice of power opted by Facebook for its Oregon centre using coal instead of wind power. On April 21, 2011, the organisation released a report which showed that out of the top ten brands in cloud computing, Facebook relied the most on coal for electricity for its data centres.
- The organisation launched a 'Unfriend Coal Campaign' which enlisted online activists to call on Facebook to power its data centres with clean energy instead of coal.
Defence:
- Facebook director of policy communications, Barry Schnitt defended the move to the new centre saying that the company had selected the Oregon location because it offered a "uniquely dry and temperate climate" that eliminated the need to use the mechanical chillers – or large air conditioners – that almost all data centres use.
- After two years of campaigning, on December 15, 2011, Facebook and Greenpeace reached an agreement where the former would shift to use clean and renewable energy to power its operations. Marcy Scott Lynn, of Facebook's sustainability program, said it looked forward "to a day when our primary energy sources are clean and renewable" and that the company is "working with Greenpeace and others to help bring that day closer."