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Most Americans say "not in my backyard" to AI data centers

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Re: Most Americans say "not in my backyard" to AI data centers

#301

Post by watwut »

RajT88 wrote: post #276
watwut wrote: post #209

Earlier quoted context omitted.

They cant make regulations. They have only limited political power, Karp and Thiel certainly have more. So, what you say amounts to "it is true, but do nothing at all". What they do is "do the thing we can do". You, CEOs and this crowd all agree. It ia just that some think it is a good thing (CEOs), anything except impossible is pointless (you).

You're putting words in my mouth. Don't. The government has the kind of power needed to rein in all of these privacy issues by regulating big tech. It will be difficult, but more difficult things have been achieved in our lifetime. Join the EFF. Contact your congress people. What I'm actually saying is the anti-DC people are trying to solve a societal level problem only peripherally related to the thing they are tryi…

Isnt comgress partizan locked and powerless? All power is in president.

Re: Most Americans say "not in my backyard" to AI data centers

#302

Post by JuniperMesos »

whatever1 wrote: post #34
gegtik wrote: post #17

Unbelievable. What's next, NIMBYs for sewage and effluent? Where does it end exactly?

You definitely do not want a sewage treatment plant in your backyard. But hey, you got a cheaper home price so that the rich guys can pump their crap to your backyard from miles away.

You also really don't want ideological NIMBYs protesting against sewage treatment plant construction and claiming that sewage treatment plants are something that only benefit the wealthy.

Re: Most Americans say "not in my backyard" to AI data centers

#303

Post by JuniperMesos »

mikestew wrote: post #188
maerF0x0 wrote: post #133

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That is all covered by my point about regulations rising to the task. Did you read the whole comment? The point is you should be allowed to have a gas turbine (or whatever generator meets the requirements), if it meets emissions, noise, and heat regulations.

Yeah, I read your comment. IMO NIMB should be illegal, so long as… And if a frog had wings, it wouldn’t bump its ass when it hops. But there are examples of data centers being approved with minimal public comment, if any. Musk’s data center in Memphis is frequently trotted out, and for good reason. When the “as long as” part takes place, we can discuss the legality of NIMBY.

I am vehemently in favor of politicians in my state who are trying to change laws to remove the ability of public commenters to prevent the construction of new housing, because the status quo for decades has been that whenever developers try to build new housing, local public commenters come up with a million reasons why the local government shouldn't allow it to be built; and now there's a massive housing shortage that directly affects my own ability to afford a home.

I'm also eager to vote for politicians who craft state- or federal-level laws that bypass public comment on data center construction, although I do care more about the housing issue if I had to pick just one.

Re: Most Americans say "not in my backyard" to AI data centers

#304

Post by NohatCoder »

duxup wrote: post #272

We built data centers for decades without issue. One I used to service frequently is actually surrounded by a large area of green-space, trees, marsh area, wildlife. The houses that border it are highly desirable as you effectively have an extension of a massive yard and great views relative to the suburban area surrounding it. Somehow things changed and it's a bit surreal.

The power density has been steadily increasing over the years, and then going from CPU to GPU makes it even bigger. This wouldn't be such a big issue if they actually took the time to build the infrastructure. But nobody has time, so it is gas turbines and evaporative cooling, and that makes a horrible neighbour.

Re: Most Americans say "not in my backyard" to AI data centers

#305

Post by illliillll »

bjustin wrote: post #227
econ wrote: post #190

Earlier quoted context omitted.

https://www.tumblr.com/geneseelibby/35053843499/a-horrible-m...

Amazingly, they managed to _undersell_ the ill effects that the oil industry would have on even just the US, such as the oil-driven military actions we've taken over the years.

[flagged]

Re: Most Americans say "not in my backyard" to AI data centers

#306

Post by pseudalopex »

yellowapple wrote: post #290
bjustin wrote: post #230

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I've heard talk from some folks telling these people that their concerns about data center water use, power, noise etc. are overblown. Water companies disagree, saying data center water usage in fact is quite significant. Oops. https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/jul/21/not-enou...

The UK is surrounded by a planet-spanning body of water. It has no excuse to be complaining about water shortages even if every square inch of it was a single giant datacenter.

Removing salt from ocean water is costly.

Re: Most Americans say "not in my backyard" to AI data centers

#307

Post by neutronicus »

cucumber3732842 wrote: post #248
neutronicus wrote: post #147

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You're not getting it into an urban brownfield unless it comes with price controls on energy. I live amongst the urban brownfields of Baltimore and our politicians are under tons of pressure to stop data center projects (and to tar and feather utility executives).

>(and to tar and feather utility executives) Has anyone thought about perhaps tar and feathering the politicans and bureaucrats that wrote all the rules that make greenfield development with a transmission line tap a non-starter? The developers would looooove to not deal with brownfields, not have pissed off neighbors, not deal in complex urban sites, etc, but greenfield above a tiny size is effectively outlawed piec…

Profits are high and bills are high it’s not that deep.

Re: Most Americans say "not in my backyard" to AI data centers

#309

Post by dv_dt »

neutronicus wrote: post #155
dylan604 wrote: post #134

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This is such an obvious concern that it's hard to understand how the GP didn't think of it as well. Clearly, people don't always consider all the things and get focused in so they can't see the forest for the trees.

It also doesn't necessarily matter if the data centers actually raise electricity rates. Regardless of whether or not they do, you can block their construction and try to horse-trade it for relief on energy prices.

If communities wait until there is incontrovertible proof of raised rates, everything will have been decided and their raised rates will be a fait accompli. This is the time and phase to raise concerns and get guarantees in place for communities

Re: Most Americans say "not in my backyard" to AI data centers

#310

Post by neutronicus »

dv_dt wrote: post #309
neutronicus wrote: post #155

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It also doesn't necessarily matter if the data centers actually raise electricity rates. Regardless of whether or not they do, you can block their construction and try to horse-trade it for relief on energy prices.

If communities wait until there is incontrovertible proof of raised rates, everything will have been decided and their raised rates will be a fait accompli. This is the time and phase to raise concerns and get guarantees in place for communities

To be clear I think this is fine!

It’s rare to have leverage over capital (if indeed they do). Milk it!

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