There’s a lot of push-back by ordinary power customers when the rates go up because of AI data centers.

There's a lot of push-back period, when it comes to data centers. It's swirling all around me right now. Google will get their data center. They have bought the land and it is zoned industrial. They have bought all the electricity for a wind farm, now under construction, that Apex had set up the ground work for about 5 years ago, then delayed construction until Google bought all their output. We have several solar farms trying to get the approvals needed. The locals are in an uproar, which to some extent is not unmerited, but these people will seriously bitch about anything, even a recent commitment to a rail trail by the County, mostly funded with Biden era grants. We are in MAGA land, where the "Piss on Biden" signs and Confederate flags are proudly flown. As pointed out by the linked article below, we have the highest electric rates in VA, yet all efforts to create more energy, any change whatsoever really, are bombarded with belligerence. Of course they will bitch endlessly about an increase in taxes, which are now off the table thanks to the bribes Google gave the county to allow them to purchase the land.

Our local on-line paper posted an article this morning on how the MAGA faithful were letting Trump down by fighting the data center and needed improvements. Brave man. His email box is going to be full: cardinalnews.org - Two trends converge on botetourt county data centers and solar farms

This paper is really well written, free to all, but I actually am a paid subscriber to it. The author of this piece is one of the founders of the on-line paper after most of the staff of the Roanoke Times were let go in the mass slaughter of local newspapers nationwide. There are small glimpses of hope in this nation, but you have to look hard.

IP,
who would love to have the sign franchise for this area