Data center development among topics at Dairyland Power meeting in La Crosse
The Dairyland Power Co-op held its annual meeting in La Crosse, discussing the growth of data centers and their energy needs. CEO Brent Ridge advocated for data centers as a means of prosperity for small, rural communities. A North America Electric Reliability Corporation executive also spoke on increasing risks to energy production and growing demand.
At its annual meeting in La Crosse, the Dairyland Power Co-op addressed the increasing concern over data center development, particularly in rural areas, and their impact on energy demands. Dairyland CEO Brent Ridge highlighted data centers as a crucial pathway to economic prosperity for small communities, stating that restricting their growth would perpetuate rural poverty.
During the meeting, Dairyland Power Co-op reported a 24% revenue increase over the last five years, with average annual rate increases of just 1%. Camilo Serna, an executive from the North America Electric Reliability Corporation, delivered a keynote address on energy reliability, noting a decades-high growth in demand for affordable electricity and rising risks to energy production across North America. A user comment in the article expressed skepticism about the reported price increases and questioned the true benefits of data centers for local economies and job creation.