Protestors say no to AI data centers in Jefferson City
Missouri residents protested AI data center development in Jefferson City, raising concerns about electricity and water usage, lack of transparency, and tax abatements. Concurrently, a Local Government Data Summit was held to inform officials about data center development, with Governor Mike Kehoe expressing support for the industry.
Missouri residents from across the state convened in Jefferson City to protest the proliferation of artificial intelligence data centers, highlighting concerns over environmental impact, including high electricity and water consumption, as well as a lack of transparency from local commissioners regarding tax abatements for large corporations. The demonstration, organized by the Missouri Rural Crisis Center near the Katy Trail, coincided with a Local Government Data Center Summit taking place one mile away.
The summit brought together government officials to discuss infrastructure needs, incentives, and legal frameworks for AI data centers. Laura Holloway, Executive Director of the Missouri Municipal League, emphasized the importance of providing comprehensive information to elected officials on all aspects of data center development. Governor Mike Kehoe, a known proponent of AI data centers, offered opening remarks via video, despite not attending in person.
Protester Harry Cope, a livestock farmer from Montgomery County where Amazon and Google are constructing two AI data centers, voiced strong opposition, questioning the logic of providing "trillion-dollar tax abatements" to "trillion-dollar companies." While supporters argue data centers drive economic growth, opponents underscore the significant environmental risks they pose. The Missouri Rural Crisis Center noted that attendees hailed from 15 different Missouri counties, underscoring widespread local concerns about the ongoing development trend across the state.