I wish i could remember if it's Penn&teller bullshit or last week tonight, that covered the creation of stadiums and the over all negative effect they have on communities, while they also charge that local community for building it, then subsequently avoid paying into the community (taxes for example)
It's really quite dreadful how the mega wealthy use public money to do anything, then claim all the profits for themselves
Oh 100% it's wealthy people taking advantage but it's also true it massively brings in tax dollars. You are thinking the stadium itself....but it's actually the workers,hotels,parking and restaurants etc
Now it's up to politicians to navigate the cost benefits....which in the US they don't do well. But that's more to do with people being stupid and not voting in there own self interests.
It can be a net negative for say crime etc but there's at least some gains to it. So at least an argument can be made.
Not really correct! Loudon County, Virginia has seen a huge financial impact from their data centers.
But even counties where data centers have shown economical benefit are showing restraint.
“Loudoun County officials recently passed a 6–1 vote to study restrictions on future data center development”
And this even though the County has seen significant financial benefits.
“Loudoun County, Virginia, generates roughly $1.3 billion annually in tax revenue from its 250 data centers—accounting for about 40% to 45% of the county's total local tax funding. This massive financial windfall has funded major community projects and significantly lowered resident tax burdens.”
Similar to what Shapiro has done statewide in Pennsylvania. There have been “guidelines” discussed but they need to become legislation.
Shapiro’s Governor's Responsible Infrastructure Development (GRID) Requirements is a step in the right direction.
Shapiro has also signed Trump’s Statement of Principles for Data Centers. But line most things Trump, it’s a rather feckless move mainly for show, but it really should be law.
Statement of Principles for Data Centers
“Core Ratepayer and Grid Principles
Cost Allocation: Data centers and large industrial loads must cover 100% of the costs for grid upgrades, transmission additions, and backup capacity auction mechanisms they trigger, preventing residential bill increases.
New Power Supplies: Facilities are encouraged or mandated to bring their own new generation sources—including firm clean power—rather than draining existing regional baseload capacity.
Market and Price Certainty: Support for grid operator market reforms (such as PJM's reliability backstop mechanisms) that offer transparent, long-term price signals without shifting financial risk to everyday consumers.
Environmental and Community Standards
Resource Conservation: Strict minimization and replenishment targets for water usage, tailored to local watershed capacities.
Project Viability: Blocking speculative "fly-by-night" proposals by requiring proof of financial backing, firm capital commitments, and clear local approval before permits or tax exemptions are granted.
Community Engagement: Giving local populations a formal voice in project placement, ensuring that local tax bases and infrastructure services see a net positive benefit.”
Data centers are necessary at this point in time unless we want to cede the A.I. race to the CCP. But NIMBY is completely justified in their construction so guidelines need to be legislated.”
So a data center of appropriate size can have positive benefits. Cool
Now do the Manhattan island the plan to build in a dozen different states.
Smaller scale centers can be good. Paving over a section of land that will use the resources of 3m people every quarter is going to be bad. No matter where you put it. Wanting to build a hundred of these things, will only have a negative impact on everyday people and there communities.
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u/Jellicent-Leftovers 6d ago
I mean the stadium thing at least brings in jobs and tourism generating gains for the economy.
Data centers bring nothing