Why should data center hubs, like NoVA, carry a disproportionate local burden for AI, a global service?

[Anonymous]

What benefit do we gain from having these data centers in our area? AI consumes so much energy and demand for AI is growing. Doing a Google search or looking up a product on Amazon now generates a AI summary.

The energy costs to generate responses are passed on to local resident as I understand it. It will supposedly account for 25% increased household energy bills in data center areas over the next 5 years. (Not sure how accurate that is.) unfortunately, Google users, for example, can’t turn off the AI queries and responses.

[Anonymous]

Why should areas where crops are grown carry a disproportionate load of the farming when everyone everywhere eats food?

[Anonymous]

That is related to local land use decisions, and state level regulations regarding utility infrastructure cost attribution, and electricity rates for different user categories. If you are concerned about this issue, reach out to your state legislators.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why should areas where crops are grown carry a disproportionate load of the farming when everyone everywhere eats food?

Farms presumably generate some local economic activity, whereas data centers are run by companies based elsewhere and require very little manpower while using finite high-value resources. I think OP asks a valid question.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:That is related to local land use decisions, and state level regulations regarding utility infrastructure cost attribution, and electricity rates for different user categories. If you are concerned about this issue, reach out to your state legislators.

+1. Your elected leaders encouraged data centers in NoVa, and they probably help keep your taxes low.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why should areas where crops are grown carry a disproportionate load of the farming when everyone everywhere eats food?

Farms presumably generate some local economic activity, whereas data centers are run by companies based elsewhere and require very little manpower while using finite high-value resources. I think OP asks a valid question.

Thank you.

[Anonymous]

I don't believe that 25% number is real, but it's a question of supply and demand.

The local utility or government believes it more profitable to sell that electricity to the datacenter than a those prices that others. Possibly it is more profitable for them personally than for the operation overall.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't believe that 25% number is real, but it's a question of supply and demand.

The local utility or government believes it more profitable to sell that electricity to the datacenter than a those prices that others. Possibly it is more profitable for them personally than for the operation overall.

The local residents are being burdened those costs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't believe that 25% number is real, but it's a question of supply and demand.

The local utility or government believes it more profitable to sell that electricity to the datacenter than a those prices that others. Possibly it is more profitable for them personally than for the operation overall.

A study from Carnegie Mellon University and North Carolina State University estimates electricity bills could rise by an average of 8% nationwide by 2030, and up to 25% in data center hubs like Virginia.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:That is related to local land use decisions, and state level regulations regarding utility infrastructure cost attribution, and electricity rates for different user categories. If you are concerned about this issue, reach out to your state legislators.

+1. Your elected leaders encouraged data centers in NoVa, and they probably help keep your taxes low.

LOL. You think what happens in Virginia doesn’t affect MD? Your use of AI and crypto currency is a strain on the environment. Data centers also consume vast amounts of fresh water for cooling, a strain that can put nearby communities at risk. A large data center can use up to 5 million gallons of water per day. Where do you think VA will get the water? There are already big fights over the Potomac. It will be give us more water or you won’t have access to your data.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why should areas where crops are grown carry a disproportionate load of the farming when everyone everywhere eats food?

Farms presumably generate some local economic activity, whereas data centers are run by companies based elsewhere and require very little manpower while using finite high-value resources. I think OP asks a valid question.

Thank you.

There are WAYYYYY more people employed per-acre in a data center vs a farm.

[Anonymous]

The data comes here from overseas cables so our Intel agencies can sift through it first. The data centers want to be next in line in looking at that data, so they situate themselves next to SigInt installations.

Duh.

[Anonymous]

Why not spread the tax more broadly?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why should areas where crops are grown carry a disproportionate load of the farming when everyone everywhere eats food?

Farms presumably generate some local economic activity, whereas data centers are run by companies based elsewhere and require very little manpower while using finite high-value resources. I think OP asks a valid question.

Thank you.

There are WAYYYYY more people employed per-acre in a data center vs a farm.

Nope. Not at all. Data centers are ghost towns.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why should areas where crops are grown carry a disproportionate load of the farming when everyone everywhere eats food?

Farms presumably generate some local economic activity, whereas data centers are run by companies based elsewhere and require very little manpower while using finite high-value resources. I think OP asks a valid question.

Thank you.

There are WAYYYYY more people employed per-acre in a data center vs a farm.

Is that true? The estimates I'm seeing range from 20-100 people.