About this episode

The episode discusses the rapid development of data centers and their impact on local communities amid the AI boom.

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…

People in this episode

Guests: KeShaun Pearson, Rebecca Egan McCarthy, Astrid Atkinson

Topics covered

• data centers
• AI boom
• energy demand
• community impact
• pollution
• zoning regulations
• bipartisan issues

Keywords

• data centers
• energy
• pollution
• community pushback
• zoning
• fossil fuels
• renewable energy

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Memphis Community Against Pollution, E&E News, Politico

Places: Archbald, Memphis

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