The Proliferation of Data Centers

This country may well be occupied on every street corner by sprawling data centers. Many books will record the knockdown-drag-out battles it took to place them on sites across the USA.

In some places, the arguments against them are as rabid as those against the rural electrification of America in the early 20th Century. Not to mention against "fracking" for oil.

When the mid-1930's arrived, only an estimated 3-percent of the homes in the rural reaches of the U.S. had electric power. Not until President Franklin Roosevelt signed the bill in May 1935 creating the Rural Electrification Administration did the provision of rural power amp up.

Farmers were among those who fought electrification hardest. They didn't trust easements needed for transmission equipment. Fights between farms over fencing issues were picnics compared to those over easements.

Rural folk fretted about the costs involved, claiming it'd be a big money loser for all. Some farm families saw electric appliances as unnecessary luxuries. (One of my grandfathers might've believed such. My grandmother disagreed.)

Yesteryear's fights over electrification were nearly as fervent as those over data centers, lacking only the amplification from myriad media and online platforms.

Two data centers in Georgia have been found operating almost without public knowledge, even for elected officials. Media outlets found them.

Another Georgia data center developer, Virginia-based QTS, has been more than up front with plans, and doesn't mind scrutiny. "Communities are right to ask hard questions about energy, water, jobs, infrastructure, ratepayer protection and long-term benefits," said a QTS advisory. They're planning a huge center in Blakely in the southwest corner.

Brad Hughes, the editor of the town's weekly newspaper, lamented the rough discourse of some "anti's" but acknowledged people have the right to oppose the center. "Disagreements don't really bother me," he wrote. "They are inevitable in ministry and politics. What can still catch me off guard is how some people choose to disagree," meaning angrily and without respect for others' opinions.

Opposition to the large digital processors in Mississippi has grown gradually after initially opening the door for them with sales tax exemptions and other incentives to build here.

"As public opposition to data centers has grown in Mississippi, the government economic incentives available to companies have come under increasing scrutiny online and in city hall meetings," Mississippi Today reported July 29.

"To qualify for these incentives, the company needs to be approved by the Mississippi Development Authority, make a minimum investment of $20 million, and create at least 20 full-time jobs that pay 125% of the average annual state wage. The average state salary is currently about $49,700."

Gov. Tate Reeves was quoted by The Clarion Ledger's Bea Anhuci on June 18 as saying data center developers were flocking here "with insane execution speed." Opponents claim the lures were "sweetheart deals" made "without public input."

One thing sure to continue is the filing of protests and lawsuits, even after the centers have opened. There's overwhelming sentiment against the 1,500 U.S. projects underway, The Atlantic said.

The New York Times reported that since January, construction of 75 data centers nationwide worth an estimated $130 billion has been delayed or stopped by local or political roadblocks, according to Data Center Watch, an A.I. research firm.

The hottest protest in Mississippi is over the SpaceX data center in Southaven. Critics say the natural gas turbines running the facility are loud and polluting the air. The center owned by Elon Musk has reacted by limiting turbine noise and any pollutants until a new power plant is in operation. Watch this one.

---Mac Gordon is a native of McComb. He is a retired newspaperman. He can be reached at macmarygordon@gmail.com.