I think we as a nation should throw 100% support toward Musk’s plan for data centers in space. No noise, water, or land impact. He will succeed, and then - what will become of all the empty massive buildings being constructed now? The sooner he succeeds, the fewer land-based centers are needed. Push them to the edge of space and stop arguing about them here.

Appreciate the thoughtful approach. One idea I had for waste heat from the data centers are sand batteries. These are gaining traction as a means of storing heat so it can be repurposed. The heat is already being generated, so why not give it a second purpose. Just another step toward a more efficient, cyclic approach to data centers. Personally, I think we're living in the second industrial revolution. Is there any historical data on how the public felt towards factories in the 17/1800s?

Your article showed thoughtfulness to both sides while demonstrating a great deal of research for readers who can check out each link provided. Thank you.

Modern day Luddites oppose any new technology that comes up. They opposed nuclear power, preferring to fight wars over oil. Now it is data centers.

I think it is a fine idea to make construction of data centers in blue states very difficult. I am glad to see that is the tendency so far. Keep it up.

People in general love AI and use it everyday. So data centers are a no brainer.

I understand communities don’t want these centers going up in their ‘backyards,’ and I agree with that.

The solution is obvious! Build underground. Climate control, vandalism, ugly noisy buildings, and more, will all vanish if they’re built Underground.

Build underground.

Data centers are used for more then just AI. Every time you do a web search, using Google or otherwise, a computer in a data center is processing that search. Millions of businesses now use data center computers to run their businesses instead of having on-site servers. Every Amazon order is processed in a data center. Microsoft Office 365 runs from data centers. Do we need to ensure that data centers have a positive impact on the local where they are built? Yes, of course. Do data centers need to be respectful of the geography and community where they are building? Yes. Do they need to ensure that the cost of utilities for the community do NOT go up? Yes. If we make it to difficult to build data centers, they will get built ANYWAY, just not in our country or under our control. That will be to our determent and the benefit of our enemies! AI is a 'war' that we, as Americans, can NOT afford to loose!

Microreactors (nuclear) could help solve the electricity problem; of course, reactors need water as well. The GOP needs to communicate the pros and cons of data centers as well as the initiatives being taken by many states and the Feds to mitigate problems.

Judah M said it well! Citizen surveillance is the end of liberty.

There should be no obstruction to datacenters. We need to reduce barriers to entry, remove regulations, and accelerate development of datacenters in every community. Don't fall for the disinformation that seeks to ruin your lives, we need to accelerate. Improves communities, brings jobs, and solidifies American dominance in cloud, AI, internet, and computer technologies.

Data Centers should use no electricity from the grid at all. They have huge physical footprints and can cover those roofs with solar panels. All their electricity needs should be self-supplied

Try to locate them in areas that are somewhat remote and don't build them on good farmland.

"What else do you think should be done?" Of all the articles I have read, No One has ever answered a basic simple question: "How many data centers (or their total sum capacity) is really needed? And by what date? And just a few days ago, Upward stated something like 53% of internet usage is by "bots". Astounding! So why do we need to build even more data centers to support the bots? I do not approve of the NDA's.

Having managed several data centers, I find some of the arguments against them nothing short of ludicrous. They are environmentally clean. There is no noise pollution (can someone come forward and cite a noise pollution case? Probably more noise pollution from a church) They run on closed water systems which may need some small amounts of replacement water from time to time. Electricity consumption might be an issue but it seems no more than an Amazon warehouse or a factory - probably much less. And national security will be become an over riding issue without them. The arguments against data centers are made by people who have no accurate knowledge of their operation; and also by the democrats wanting to interfere with Trump's agenda. Not to mention the good paying jobs they bring. Bob Tasker

I appreciate that you have done some research on data centers. Here's a post that adds more interest to the conversation. What do you think?? https://www.facebook.com/reel/1088991143464344

Ann J

You forgot water! In drought-stricken states, which can turn out to be any state over time, these water-cooled facilities use vast quantities of water. This is water that we can't spare, and when they use it, our water bills become astronomical and our use is restricted.

Data centers should pay upfront for any infrastructure needed for their development and the surrounding area. They should use recycled water instead of water already treated for consumption. Build water retention systems and purification systems for run off on their building. Build new power sources for both themselves and the surrounding communities. This might ease some of the concerns regarding them. They are quickly becoming a necessary component for the military and if we’re not in first place China will be. Second seat doesn’t get us much.

Any place that needs coolant uses water Mohegan sun just through their cooling towers on a humid day will lose 1,000,000 gallons of water through evaporation through the coolant towers although the data centers might not need heat because most computers produce their own heat, they will still need to be cooled even in the winter time and what do computers need power so why are they trying to get 5 mile island back online to produce power on a grid for data center the first data center that I know of in Connecticut was built in Shelton Connecticut. It was called bluestone and when something hit New York or something happen all the data would be directed to this data center in Shelton, Connecticut. It too has cooling powers. And uses a lot of water so explain to me how they do not in a computers need a lot of power. I know we’re in a race with China so we need more nuclear power stations if we are going to support this.