It’s not smart – it’s sad: The ADN Editorial Board’s bizarre criticism of AI data center regulation

Last month, the Anchorage Assembly passed Ordinance AO 2026-27, which regulates the conditions for building AI data centers in the city. This legislation includes provisions regarding noise reduction, placement in residential areas, and consideration for Railbelt electricity capacity. The Alaska Landmine's editorial board critiques the Anchorage Daily News (ADN) editorial for its opposition to these regulations. The ADN editorial argued that Anchorage is imposing 'unnecessary restrictions' on an industry that hasn't fully arrived, suggesting 'guardrails' should only be implemented after data centers are built and consequences become apparent. The Alaska Landmine's piece refutes this, emphasizing that guardrails are preventative measures. The article further criticizes the ADN's analysis as 'superficial,' particularly its dismissal of concerns over data centers' high energy consumption, which is projected to reach 6.7-12% of the nation's energy capacity by 2028. It also questions the ADN's lack of evidence for investor interest in Alaska, given the state's high costs and minimal infrastructure, and highlights the ongoing energy crisis in Southcentral Alaska. The author even suggests the ADN editorial may have been partially or wholly written by AI, given its stylistic hallmarks.