US Energy Secretary says 'there's nothing wrong' with data centre critics
US Energy Secretary Chris Wright addressed concerns about data centers at an AWS Summit in Washington, urging industry proponents to engage with critics. He acknowledged public opposition due to noise, electricity costs, and environmental impact but encouraged continued development. Wright emphasized that transparent communication is key to overcoming these concerns.
US Energy Secretary Chris Wright addressed the Amazon Web Services (AWS) Summit in Washington, acknowledging the increasing public concern regarding data centers, artificial intelligence, and their impact on electricity costs. He emphasized that critics have only heard one side of the story and urged data center proponents to engage with opponents respectfully and sincerely to change "hearts and minds."
Joined by Dave Levy, an AWS vice president, Secretary Wright encouraged the tech industry to continue building data centers despite public sentiment. Polling data from Gallup and the Yale Program on Climate Change indicates significant opposition among Americans to data centers near their homes and concerns about rising electricity bills.
Wright also touched on the energy demands of AI, linking them to rising power costs and the need for updated energy grids and nuclear power. He attributed past failures in grid modernization to former President Joe Biden and noted President Donald Trump's efforts to expedite nuclear reactor construction. Levy reiterated the industry's readiness to accelerate data center development.