Farmers Union Concerned About Data Centers in Rural America

During the National Farmers Union annual convention in New Orleans, Louisiana, Wisconsin Farmers Union President Darrin Von Ruden voiced strong apprehension about the increasing proliferation of data centers across rural America. The organization spent considerable time discussing AI tech centers, particularly focusing on their rapid development and the need for public discourse. Von Ruden highlighted two major concerns: electricity and water. He noted that while some states want data centers to provide their own power, this could paradoxically lead to higher electric bills for average consumers if utilities lose revenue from these large energy users. Conversely, if data centers remain on the grid, their immense power demands could strain existing infrastructure. Water usage, though potentially reduced in newer facilities, remains a significant concern, especially in regions like the Upper Midwest, which are eyed for data center siting due to ample water resources. The Farmers Union stresses the importance of ensuring clean water discharge from these facilities. A third critical issue raised by Von Ruden is transparency, specifically regarding non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) signed by public officials with data center developers. He cited an incident in Duluth, Minnesota, where a city council's NDA with an AI tech center builder left the public uninformed. The Farmers Union believes that information concerning projects affecting the public interest, whether positive or negative, should be openly accessible to citizens and their elected representatives.