Across the country, developers are racing to build huge new buildings to house computers to fuel the AI boom, creating an explosive demand for new energy. While some hyperscalers seek renewable energy, others are turning to fossil fuels. But concerns around high electric bills, air and noise pollution and water depletion have generated widespread community pushback against these giant facilities, and it seems opposing data centers is a bipartisan issue. Many cities and states are working to rapidly update zoning and other local regulations to respond to the dual pressures of developer interest and constituent backlash.
Since data center development isn’t slowing down, what policies or creative strategies can lessen the impacts for local communities and ratepayers?
Guests:
KeShaun Pearson, Executive Director, Memphis Community Against Pollution
Rebecca Egan McCarthy, Freelance Journalist
Jason Plautz, Reporter, E&E News and Politico
Astrid Atkinson, CEO, Camus
Highlights:
00:00 Introduction
3:15 KeShaun Pearson on updates to the Colossus data center pollution
6:18 KeShaun Pearson on state regulators allowing an expansion of gas turbines
8:08 KeShaun Pearson on the effect of the pollution on the community
16:24 KeShaun Pearson on what he hopes the lawsuits can achieve
19:38 Rebecca Egan McCarthy on Archbald and data center development
22:26 Rebecca Egan McCarthy on who has the power to regulate data center projects
28:16 Rebecca Egan McCarthy on data center development outside of Archbald
30:21 Jason Plautz on changing attitudes toward data centers
34:32 Jason Plautz on where there is meaningful regulation happening
39:27 Jason Plautz on state level regulatory changes
41:26 Jason Plautz on the pace of data center development
44:45 Astrid Atkinson on the effects of data center energy load on the grid
46:19 Astrid Atkinson on what flexibility means in the energy world
50:39 Astrid Atkinson on hyperscalers paying for their energy
55:22 Astrid Atkinson on how some policy changes can help communities
For show notes and related links, visit our episode page at climateone.org
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