A Data Center Revolt in Missouri

About this episode

The episode discusses the backlash against AI data center construction in Festus, Missouri, highlighting local political upheaval.

Around the country, there’s been a construction boom in AI data centers, but opposition is surging too. In the small town of Festus, Missouri, a $6 billion project angered residents, leading to the removal of local council members and a campaign to recall the mayor. WSJ's Will Parker explains how intense local pushback is changing where data centers are built. Ryan Knutson hosts. Further Listening: - More Coding, Less Slop? Why OpenAI Ditched Sora - The AI Economic Doomsday Report That Shook Wall StreetSign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

People in this episode

Host: Ryan Knutson

Guest: Will Parker

Topics covered

• AI data centers
• local opposition
• community impact
• political changes
• construction boom

Keywords

• AI
• data centers
• Missouri
• Festus
• local council
• politics
• community opposition

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: The Wall Street Journal, Spotify Studios

Places: Missouri, Festus

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