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I'm really not sure how I can be clearer about the fact that I don't agree with the prevailing sentiment on these threads about data centers† but that my reason

by tptacek 1mo ago

I'm really not sure how I can be clearer about the fact that I don't agree with the prevailing sentiment on these threads about data centers† but that my reason for commenting here is that public comment processes are a nightmare for democratic policymaking. † (I think they're fine and moreover I think they're a huge missed opportunity for blue states to get more sustainable and regulated power delivered and data centers running under those regulations, rather that what's going to happen, which is data centers all being located in red states that aren't going to regulate them at all).

reasonableklout 1mo ago
> what's going to happen, which is data centers all being located in red states that aren't going to regulate them at all The data center backlash is bipartisan though? Even Texas froze all data center buildouts recently [1]. [1]: https://www.texastribune.org/2026/08/03/texas-data-center-project-audit-greg-abbott/ https://www.texastribune.org/2026/08/03/texas-data-center-pr...
- tptacek 1mo ago
  Texas is a weird case because they're the fastest growing state in the country and they run their own independent power grid --- badly (see: the winter outage a couple years back). And even then: data centers are going to get built in Texas. Gov. Abbott is doing a performative audit thing, but they're ultimately going to clear projects.
sethammons 1mo ago
Did you not use public comments to help stop flock in your community? Why is that different?
- tptacek 1mo ago
  No, I did not! I've written at length about how I engaged with my local municipality on Flock cameras. The search bar will avail. None of it involved public comment.
esseph 1mo ago
> but that my reason for commenting here is that public comment processes are a nightmare for democratic policymaking. The public comment process has stopped a lot, a LOT, of shitty things from happening at the federal and state government level. I've seen it happen time and time again, because I've been part of it time and time again. Over decades. So I see this, and to be honest? I'm going to move on! Because this clashes with a lot of extremely personal experiences to me that have shaped public policy and legislation in positive ways. Sometimes people will get it wrong and it can be corrupted by Big Money like anything else, but it's one of the few levers the public has until they start moving to the different boxes of Democracy.
- tptacek 1mo ago
  Mostly it's stopped the construction of housing.

by tptacek 1mo ago

reasonableklout 1mo ago

> what's going to happen, which is data centers all being located in red states that aren't going to regulate them at all The data center backlash is bipartisan though? Even Texas froze all data center buildouts recently [1]. [1]: https://www.texastribune.org/2026/08/03/texas-data-center-project-audit-greg-abbott/ https://www.texastribune.org/2026/08/03/texas-data-center-pr...

tptacek 1mo ago
Texas is a weird case because they're the fastest growing state in the country and they run their own independent power grid --- badly (see: the winter outage a couple years back). And even then: data centers are going to get built in Texas. Gov. Abbott is doing a performative audit thing, but they're ultimately going to clear projects.

sethammons 1mo ago

Did you not use public comments to help stop flock in your community? Why is that different?

tptacek 1mo ago
No, I did not! I've written at length about how I engaged with my local municipality on Flock cameras. The search bar will avail. None of it involved public comment.

esseph 1mo ago

> but that my reason for commenting here is that public comment processes are a nightmare for democratic policymaking. The public comment process has stopped a lot, a LOT, of shitty things from happening at the federal and state government level. I've seen it happen time and time again, because I've been part of it time and time again. Over decades. So I see this, and to be honest? I'm going to move on! Because this clashes with a lot of extremely personal experiences to me that have shaped public policy and legislation in positive ways. Sometimes people will get it wrong and it can be corrupted by Big Money like anything else, but it's one of the few levers the public has until they start moving to the different boxes of Democracy.

tptacek 1mo ago
Mostly it's stopped the construction of housing.