NPR: "The Country needs to Pause and let Regulations Catch Up."

[Seymour Flops]

This exemplefies the wrong-headedness of those who turn to government to solve all problems.

More than 230 groups have signed on to a letter calling for a national pause on new data centers that power AI. They cite the risk of higher utility bills and environmental concerns. Here's NPR's Jeff Brady.

JEFF BRADY, BYLINE: The group Food & Water Watch drafted the moratorium letter to members of Congress as communities grapple with proposals to build the large energy-hungry campuses. Mitch Jones with the group says the country needs to pause and let regulations catch up.

https://www.npr.org/2025/12/09/nx-s1-5637532/environmental-groups-call-for-a-moratorium-on-data-center-construction

So these groups have no idea what regulations they want, but they expect Congress to pass a moritorium on new data centers? Yes:

Still, Jones says his group is talking with members of Congress, and he expects a bill for a data center moratorium soonish.

How long is "soonish?" It will never be signed while Trump is in office, even if Democrats and "not Democrats" manage to win the Senate House. So, do these groups really expect technological and economic progress to be put on hold while they "figure out" what regulations they want? Yes:

MITCH JONES: And let's figure out if it's possible to do this . . .

 

[toobfreak]

230 groups have signed on to a letter calling for a national pause on new data centers that power AI. They cite the risk of higher utility bills

Well, if you can show me a way of generating much more electricity while lowering costs at the same time, I'm all ears!

 

[Seymour Flops]

Well, if you can show me a way of generating much more electricity while lowering costs at the same time, I'm all ears!

The free market will show you the way, if it is allowed to operate.

What does that have to do with the OP? The invention of the automobile made gasoline more expensive. Diesel train technology made dieself fuel more expensive. Both led to more oil drilling and more carbon emisions.

Are you angry that no group demanded that we stick to horse and buggy, and wood-burning steam locomotives?

 

[1srelluc]

The only way Data Centers will be stopped is at the grassroots level. The federal and even state government really have shit-all to do with stopping them. Put plainly, it's up to us to make that lift.

Just in my extended AO I am seeing a groundswell of anti-Data Center sentiments from all walks of life and it extends across party lines.

John Q Public controls the horizonal and vertical as far as letting the Data Centers into their AO, none can be built "by right", all need approval and permitting at the local level.

The people have realized just how damaging Data Centers can be to their personal bottom line and to the resources in their area.

They also think that they are being run over roughshod by their own local politicians looking for that sweet tax money. Never mind it's often deferred/reduced.

Data Centers are fast becoming a "third rail" of local politics with local hopefuls being asked their opinions on approving them if they gain office even if no Data Centers are being planned for the area.

 

[Seymour Flops]

The only way Data Centers will be stopped is at the grassroots level. The federal and even state government really have shit-all to do with stopping them. Put plainly, it's up to us to make that lift.

Just in my extended AO I am seeing a groundswell of anti-Data Center sentiments from all walks of life and it extends across party lines.

John Q Public controls the horizonal and vertical as far as letting the Data Centers into their AO, none can be built "by right", all need approval and permitting at the local level.

The people have realized just how damaging Data Centers can be to their personal bottom line and to the resources in their area.

They also think that they are being run over roughshod by their own local politicians looking for that sweet tax money. Never mind it's often deferred/reduced.

Data Centers are fast becoming a "third rail" of local politics with local hopefuls being asked their opinions on approving them if they gain office even if no Data Centers are being planned for the area.

Maybe I'm missing something. What is the exact objection to new data centers?

 

[1srelluc]

Maybe I'm missing something. What is the exact objection to new data centers?

Rising electricity costs for area residential consumers, water consumption, and noise pollution in populated areas.

And for what?

 

[Seymour Flops]

Rising electricity costs for area residential consumers, water consumption, and noise pollution in populated areas.

And for what?

From usetech.com:

1. Enhanced Data Security and Compliance​

Data centers provide robust physical and cybersecurity controls, helping organizations protect sensitive information from breaches and comply with regulations like GDPR, HIPAA, or regional laws. They offer controlled access, monitoring, and disaster recovery capabilities to safeguard data integrity.

2. Improved Reliability and Uptime​

Data centers are designed with redundant power supplies, backup generators, cooling systems, and network connectivity. This ensures high availability (often 99.999% uptime), minimizing costly downtime and maintaining business continuity.

3. Scalability and Flexibility​

Modern data centers enable organizations to scale IT resources up or down based on demand. This agility supports business growth, seasonal spikes, or new service rollouts without significant upfront investment in infrastructure.

4. Cost Efficiency​

Centralized infrastructure reduces the need for on-premises hardware and maintenance. Through economies of scale, data centers offer shared resources, lowering operational expenses and capital expenditures over time.

5. Enhanced Performance and Speed​

With optimized network architecture and proximity to end-users, data centers reduce latency and improve application performance. This is critical for real-time services such as video streaming, e-commerce, and financial trading.

6. Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity​

Data centers implement rigorous backup and failover mechanisms. In the event of a natural disaster, cyberattack, or hardware failure, data centers ensure rapid recovery, minimizing disruption and data loss.

7. Support for Emerging Technologies​

Data centers provide the infrastructure backbone needed for AI, big data analytics, IoT, and cloud computing. They enable fast processing and storage capabilities required by advanced applications.

8. Energy Efficiency and Environmental Control​

Many modern data centers incorporate green technologies, such as efficient cooling systems and renewable energy sources, reducing carbon footprint and operational costs while supporting sustainability goals.

9. Centralized Management and Monitoring​

Data centers enable centralized control over IT resources, simplifying management, maintenance, and security monitoring. This leads to quicker troubleshooting and more efficient resource utilization.

10. Competitive Advantage and Innovation Enablement​

Access to scalable, secure, and high-performance infrastructure accelerates time-to-market for new products and services. Businesses can innovate rapidly, respond to customer needs, and maintain an edge over competitors.

 

[1srelluc]

From usetech.com:

1. Enhanced Data Security and Compliance​

Data centers provide robust physical and cybersecurity controls, helping organizations protect sensitive information from breaches and comply with regulations like GDPR, HIPAA, or regional laws. They offer controlled access, monitoring, and disaster recovery capabilities to safeguard data integrity.

2. Improved Reliability and Uptime​

Data centers are designed with redundant power supplies, backup generators, cooling systems, and network connectivity. This ensures high availability (often 99.999% uptime), minimizing costly downtime and maintaining business continuity.

3. Scalability and Flexibility​

Modern data centers enable organizations to scale IT resources up or down based on demand. This agility supports business growth, seasonal spikes, or new service rollouts without significant upfront investment in infrastructure.

4. Cost Efficiency​

Centralized infrastructure reduces the need for on-premises hardware and maintenance. Through economies of scale, data centers offer shared resources, lowering operational expenses and capital expenditures over time.

5. Enhanced Performance and Speed​

With optimized network architecture and proximity to end-users, data centers reduce latency and improve application performance. This is critical for real-time services such as video streaming, e-commerce, and financial trading.

6. Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity​

Data centers implement rigorous backup and failover mechanisms. In the event of a natural disaster, cyberattack, or hardware failure, data centers ensure rapid recovery, minimizing disruption and data loss.

7. Support for Emerging Technologies​

Data centers provide the infrastructure backbone needed for AI, big data analytics, IoT, and cloud computing. They enable fast processing and storage capabilities required by advanced applications.

8. Energy Efficiency and Environmental Control​

Many modern data centers incorporate green technologies, such as efficient cooling systems and renewable energy sources, reducing carbon footprint and operational costs while supporting sustainability goals.

9. Centralized Management and Monitoring​

Data centers enable centralized control over IT resources, simplifying management, maintenance, and security monitoring. This leads to quicker troubleshooting and more efficient resource utilization.

10. Competitive Advantage and Innovation Enablement​

Access to scalable, secure, and high-performance infrastructure accelerates time-to-market for new products and services. Businesses can innovate rapidly, respond to customer needs, and maintain an edge over competitors.

LOL....That's about like Draft Kings promoting sports.

 

[Mac-7]

This exemplefies the wrong-headedness of those who turn to government to solve all problems.

More than 230 groups have signed on to a letter calling for a national pause on new data centers that power AI. They cite the risk of higher utility bills and environmental concerns. Here's NPR's Jeff Brady.

JEFF BRADY, BYLINE: The group Food & Water Watch drafted the moratorium letter to members of Congress as communities grapple with proposals to build the large energy-hungry campuses. Mitch Jones with the group says the country needs to pause and let regulations catch up.

https://www.npr.org/2025/12/09/nx-s1-5637532/environmental-groups-call-for-a-moratorium-on-data-center-construction

So these groups have no idea what regulations they want, but they expect Congress to pass a moritorium on new data centers? Yes:

Still, Jones says his group is talking with members of Congress, and he expects a bill for a data center moratorium soonish.

How long is "soonish?" It will never be signed while Trump is in office, even if Democrats and "not Democrats" manage to win the Senate House. So, do these groups really expect technological and economic progress to be put on hold while they "figure out" what regulations they want? Yes:

MITCH JONES: And let's figure out if it's possible to do this . . .

The demand is confusing

If these people had said pause new data centers till the energy supply expands enough to support them that is at least argueable

Maybe build some nuclear power plants or fossil fuel generators

But lib regulations will not add anything to the energy supply

In fact blue state laws such as california usually serve to restrict energy

 

[hadit]

Well, if you can show me a way of generating much more electricity while lowering costs at the same time, I'm all ears!

One answer, new nuclear power plants. They are more affordable and safer than previous generations were, especially the smaller ones that could be dedicated to powering neighborhoods and data centers. In fact, why not just allow the builders of a data center to build their own power plants?

 

[Seymour Flops]

LOL....That's about like Draft Kings promoting sports.

Which item is false?

 

[1srelluc]

One answer, new nuclear power plants. They are more affordable and safer than previous generations were, especially the smaller ones that could be dedicated to powering neighborhoods and data centers. In fact, why not just allow the builders of a data center to build their own power plants?

Where are they gonna get the cooling water required?

1. Large Data Centers: Larger facilities, especially hyperscale data centers, can consume up to 5 million gallons (approximately 18.9 million liters) per day. This level of consumption is comparable to the water use of a small town with a population of 10,000 to 50,000 people.
   
   1
2. Annual Consumption: On an annual basis, a medium-sized data center (around 15 MW) can use up to 110 million gallons (approximately 416 million liters) of water for cooling purposes, which is equivalent to the annual water usage of about 1,000 households.

 

[sparky]

Well, if you can show me a way of generating much more electricity while lowering costs at the same time, I'm all ears!

I don't believe we've the infrastructure if we did Toob......~S~

 

[1srelluc]

Virginia Still Has More Hyperscale Data Center Capacity Than Either Europe or China | Synergy Research Group

Synergy Interactive Analysis

www.srgresearch.com

This is why localities in Virginia need to fight them.

Virginia Still Has More Hyperscale Data Center Capacity Than Either Europe or China | Synergy Research Group

Synergy Interactive Analysis

www.srgresearch.com

 

[Seymour Flops]

Where are they gonna get the cooling water required?

1. Large Data Centers: Larger facilities, especially hyperscale data centers, can consume up to 5 million gallons (approximately 18.9 million liters) per day. This level of consumption is comparable to the water use of a small town with a population of 10,000 to 50,000 people.
   
   1
2. Annual Consumption: On an annual basis, a medium-sized data center (around 15 MW) can use up to 110 million gallons (approximately 416 million liters) of water for cooling purposes, which is equivalent to the annual water usage of about 1,000 households.

If there is no cooling water available, i'm sure they won't build there.

Remember, we are talking about the private sector not the government that would build there anyway, and assume it could just pass a law that there would be water.

 

[1srelluc]

If there is no cooling water available, i'm sure they won't build there.

Remember, we are talking about the private sector not the government that would build there anyway, and assume it could just pass a law that there would be water.

Don't try to gaslight me with that BS. It's unbecoming.

 

[toobfreak]

The invention of the automobile made gasoline more expensive. Diesel train technology made dieself fuel more expensive.

So then it stands to reason that driving EVs will make electricity even more expensive, and at a time when we are already paying too much and it being channeled off as the only form of energy everything needs to operate with.

 

[toobfreak]

One answer, new nuclear power plants. They are more affordable and safer than previous generations were, especially the smaller ones that could be dedicated to powering neighborhoods and data centers. In fact, why not just allow the builders of a data center to build their own power plants?

I've said that for a long time. AI should be powered by its own private, proprietary plants. But you still have to build the plants and that will cost billions.

 

[toobfreak]

I don't believe we've the infrastructure if we did Toob......~S~

Not around here we don't.

 

[Seymour Flops]

Don't try to gaslight me with that BS. It's unbecoming.

No one is gaslighting you, dude. You're making unsupported statements and not able to provide examples to back them up.