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We’re mortgaging our kids future access to clean air and water (we already have some of the worst air in the country) for a technology that will also take their potential jobs away. And for what? So we can make memes of any little things that comes to mind?
That’s not really how it works. Modern data centers don’t produce dirty air, and water use is tightly managed. Most of the demand is coming from AI and cloud infrastructure, not some job-eliminating machine. It’s worth digging into the facts before jumping to that conclusio
Show me the facts then, Brian. It’s a fact that data centers for AI companies are increasing energy demand, much of which comes from coal and natural gas burning in the U.S. many data centers also use diesel generators as back up energy during high grid demand. It was literally just reported today that Amazon will be pumping and dumping 31 million gallons of water PER DAY just during the construction of their campus in New Carlisle.
I understand that the data centers themselves aren’t the job killers. AI absolutely is, though, and these data centers would not be required at the pace they’re being built without these AI companies trying to grow as quickly as possible. There are already reports of thousands of jobs being cut due to AI.
Have any facts of your own, Brian? Or are you just here to defend the billionaires?
First, the 31 million gallons per day story is about temporary construction dewatering — basically removing groundwater from a massive excavation site — not Amazon “consuming” 31 million gallons of drinking water every day forever. Even the county stated the discharge is being monitored and can be suspended if conditions warrant it. ()
Second, yes, data centers use a lot of electricity. Nobody disputes that. But acting like they’re uniquely “dirty air” facilities ignores the reality that modern data centers are some of the most energy-efficient industrial buildings on Earth. Many are increasingly tied to natural gas, nuclear, solar, and other generation because the economics favor stable long-term power. Backup diesel generators are emergency systems, not primary generation.
Third, on AI and jobs — AI absolutely will disrupt parts of the workforce. So did computers, the internet, ATMs, tractors, and industrial machinery. The answer isn’t pretending the technology won’t happen. The answer is making sure our communities benefit from the investment, infrastructure, tax base, and new industries that come with it.
And let’s not pretend this is only about “defending billionaires.” Local governments pursue these projects because they bring billions in capital investment, utility upgrades, construction work, fiber expansion, and long-term commercial tax revenue. You can support regulation and accountability without acting like every data center is some environmental apocalypse.
There are fair concerns worth debating. But “dirty air and stolen jobs” is more slogan than substance.
How can they both use a ton of electricity, but also be some of the most energy efficient industrial buildings out there? We may WANT to tie these to more stable long term power, but we are not putting the horse in front of the cart with that long term goal. There are already a plethora of examples of facilities relying on diesel backup for much more than emergency power, and communities are already suffering the effects. This is well documented in Memphis, as an example. I completely agree that these need to be heavily regulated. The problem is that these companies are furiously building new centers to get ahead of those regulations. I won’t hold my breath for Congress to get its act together and regulate these at the federal level, and I also can’t count on my state govt to do much more. So you’re asking me to trust the corporations to behave in communities’ best interests? Please. So I’m sorry that I have legitimate concerns about the environmental impact of the rush to build these, and no I won’t be one to roll out the red carpet for them.
Also, perhaps you could explain in more detail how permanently removing that much groundwater, an invaluable resource that we can’t just put back, is a good defense in favor of the campus?
As usual, Councilors are treating political decisions as though they are legal requirements. If indeed Metrobloks’ attorneys felt that the full body calling for a public hearing violated Indiana code, their remedy would be a lawsuit.
But as we’ve seen in Decatur township, aggrieved constituents also have that same remedy available, and will use it.
Why would elected officials prefer to risk being sued by their own constituents, rather than be sued by a West coast developer?
Boggles my mind.