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People in Utah are super upset about this data center project (and no, they aren't bussed-in paid protestors like "Mr. Wonderful" claims). Check Instagram and k

by krupan 6mo ago

People in Utah are super upset about this data center project (and no, they aren't bussed-in paid protestors like "Mr. Wonderful" claims). Check Instagram and ksl.com for all the drama, it's very entertaining. Utahns are being asked to save water at every opportunity and then this world-record sized data center gets green lit by the state government with zero explanation as to how that jives with the drought narrative. People are already tracking down the financial links between state government officials and the people behind this are already being discovered. State senator slaps a reporter's iPhone out of their hand,county commissioner gets teary eyed saying his family was threatened, governor calls the attitude of all the citizens complaining "dumb" and throws a little temper tantrum. It's incredible

sizzzzlerz 6mo ago
You know there has to be money being passed under the table to the council members, state legislature, and governor's office by the billionaire's wanting to build these things. There is absolutely no benefit to the local's to have this in their backyard. The construction money will go to out-of-the-area contractor's to build it, they'll staff it (minimal as it will be) with H1B visa holders from India, and money that won't see light of day in the community. All they'll have is higher property taxes, water, and electricity bills. Of course, being republican, they'll continue to vote these same people back into office.
- Worf 6mo ago
  > All they'll have is higher property taxes, water, and electricity bills. How would the datacenter lead to higher taxes and bills? Genuinely curious.
  - skeledrew 6mo ago
    For the utilities at least, data centers take a crazy amount of electricity and water to operate. These costs are subsidized through some sort of arrangement - that I've never really understood - with the respective companies and spread out among the residents. Maybe there's something similar re property with the area becoming more "valuable", leading to something akin to gentrification.

by krupan 6mo ago

sizzzzlerz 6mo ago

You know there has to be money being passed under the table to the council members, state legislature, and governor's office by the billionaire's wanting to build these things. There is absolutely no benefit to the local's to have this in their backyard. The construction money will go to out-of-the-area contractor's to build it, they'll staff it (minimal as it will be) with H1B visa holders from India, and money that won't see light of day in the community. All they'll have is higher property taxes, water, and electricity bills. Of course, being republican, they'll continue to vote these same people back into office.

Worf 6mo ago
> All they'll have is higher property taxes, water, and electricity bills. How would the datacenter lead to higher taxes and bills? Genuinely curious.
- skeledrew 6mo ago
  For the utilities at least, data centers take a crazy amount of electricity and water to operate. These costs are subsidized through some sort of arrangement - that I've never really understood - with the respective companies and spread out among the residents. Maybe there's something similar re property with the area becoming more "valuable", leading to something akin to gentrification.