Columnist warns of data center 'time-lapse disaster,' highlights growing opposition
Chris Kelly's opinion piece argues that AI data center development poses a preventable "time-lapse disaster" due to overwhelmingly negative economic, environmental, and public health impacts. He criticizes elected officials for inaction and highlights the growing national grassroots opposition, which has successfully delayed or blocked billions in projects. The article urges citizens to demand action to prevent further harm.
In an opinion piece for the Scranton Times-Tribune, columnist Chris Kelly contends that the proliferation of AI data centers across the nation represents a preventable "time-lapse disaster." Kelly criticizes elected officials for their alleged failures of preparation and imagination, dismissing the excuse that no one could foresee the negative consequences.
He argues that data centers, while sometimes bringing temporary jobs and tax revenue, are causing widespread economic, environmental, and public health havoc, citing issues such as water shortages, electricity rate spikes, grid strain, various forms of pollution, and increased rates of diseases. Kelly points to an online map created by environmental activist Erin Brockovich, which plots operational and proposed data centers as "massive earthquakes" in communities under attack, describing it as a "full-scale invasion.
Kelly highlights the growing bipartisan grassroots opposition, noting groups like Stop Archbald Data Centers. According to Data Center Watch, such local opposition has blocked $18 billion worth of data center projects and delayed another $46 billion in projects over the past two years. He suggests that delays might render some proposed facilities obsolete before they even come online due to rapid technological advancements.
The columnist asserts that AI data centers are not essential for the internet but rather serve to establish and enforce control by a "greedy elite." He concludes by urging elected officials to heed the warnings of citizens and activist groups, warning that continued inaction will lead to irreparable harm in affected communities.