Tom McCarey

Berwyn, PA

We need to prevent AI data centers from accessing public electricity and water in Pennsylvania. To operate in Pennsylvania, AI data centers must be compelled to build their own power plants separate from the public grid, and compelled to provide their own water source separate from public water. Anything less is robbery from the public. It’s possible that there may be state legislation to void local zoning codes if they interfere with AI.

AI corporations will outsource their electricity and water consumption to the taxpayers to reduce their own costs, which can lead to opportunity costs for the public, such as job losses, lower wages, unacceptable stress to the electric grid, and to water shortages. It is imperative to prevent this from happening. Fast-tracking AI is a big mistake. Millions of taxpayer dollars are already being given to AI saying it will help the economy. Not true.

Wholesale electricity costs as much as 267% more than it did five years ago in areas near data centers. That’s being passed on to customers. AI data centers are competing with other users for electricity, water and capital. The apologists’ claim is that AI data centers are only a tiny little straw sipping on the grid’s total energy, but this overlooks that price is set on the margins and demand for electricity and water by those with unlimited bank accounts will push prices up at rates far above the total additional consumption of AI data centers.