EKPC CEO talks data center concerns, plant upgrades with Chamber crowd
Don Mosier, CEO of East Kentucky Power Cooperative, discussed the growing concerns surrounding AI data centers in Kentucky, particularly regarding their environmental impact, water usage, and strain on the electricity grid. He emphasized that EKPC requires data centers to bring their own power generation to avoid burdening existing customers and ensure responsible development. Mosier also highlighted the economic opportunities data centers can bring, citing significant investments in local water systems and tax revenues.
Don Mosier, CEO of East Kentucky Power Cooperative (EKPC), addressed the Somerset-Pulaski County Chamber of Commerce, discussing the growing concerns surrounding artificial intelligence data centers in rural Kentucky. Mosier highlighted that the influx of data centers is a "polarizing" issue for the public, particularly in areas like Mercer, Mason, Boyd, and Pulaski Counties. Locals have expressed worries about potential environmental impacts, including strain on water resources, and economic consequences such as increased electricity costs for existing customers.
Mosier acknowledged the nationwide grid reliability issues, stating that data centers "exacerbate" the path to potential energy shortages by the end of the decade. Despite these concerns, he supports data center development as an inevitable trend, preferring they locate in Kentucky under controlled conditions. EKPC's policy requires any data center connecting to its system to provide its own power generation, preventing the cost burden from falling on current EKPC members through subsidies, and the cooperative has filed a tariff to this effect.
He emphasized the economic benefits, citing a data center planned for Mason County that will pay 6% sales tax on energy purchases and invest $40 million in local water system upgrades. Mosier concluded by reiterating EKPC's commitment to responsible development, ensuring reliability for its over one million customers in 89 Kentucky counties, while also pursuing upgrades to its Cooper Power Station to transition towards natural gas and meet federal environmental regulations.