Missouri governor praises AI’s economic advantages while dismissing data center concerns during remarks at public forum
Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe praised data centers' economic advantages and dismissed concerns as misinformation at a public forum in Rolla. This occurred amid protests focused on water usage, while State Rep. Tricia Byrnes proposed legislation for increased transparency and a statewide moratorium on hyperscale data centers.
Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe addressed a public forum at Missouri S&T in Rolla, Missouri, to an audience of 200, praising artificial intelligence and data centers for their economic advantages. Kehoe attributed criticisms against data center development to "foreign adversaries" spreading misinformation, stating that these entities wish to be the sole owners of such technology. He emphasized the need to focus on facts and workforce development to ensure Missouri's participation in the future of AI.
Outside the event, small groups protested, raising concerns about data centers' significant water usage, pollution, and potential harm to the environment and public health. Suzanne Hume of Clean Earth 4 Kids criticized the event's transparency and highlighted the state's perceived lack of adequate regulations, calling for statewide and local ordinances to protect communities.
The forum occurred as data center projects are increasing across Missouri, including a recently announced $10 billion Amazon data center in Montgomery County. Republican State Representative Tricia Byrnes is concurrently proposing legislation, the "People Before Powerful Interests Act," aimed at increasing transparency and public involvement in projects receiving public incentives. Byrnes advocates for enhanced public disclosure, independent review standards, and countywide voter approval for such projects, while also calling for a statewide moratorium on future hyperscale data center developments until community concerns can be thoroughly addressed.