Republican senator Roger Marshall rails against AI data centers
Senator Roger Marshall of Kansas stated that his constituents are strongly against artificial intelligence data centers, leading to several dozen Kansas counties enacting moratoriums. He supports these moratoriums, citing concerns over water and electricity usage, potential increases in utility costs for residents, and the limited job creation after construction.
Republican Senator Roger Marshall of Kansas expressed strong opposition from his constituents regarding artificial intelligence data centers, stating that "people in Kansas are on fire against them." Speaking at Semafor's World of Work event, Senator Marshall noted that "several dozen counties" in Kansas have already placed moratoriums on data center development.
The Senator voiced his support for these county-level moratoriums, emphasizing that data centers present significant challenges related to water and electricity. He highlighted concerns that data centers drive up electricity costs for local residents, referencing a situation where a Panasonic plant in Kansas, with its large electricity needs, led to increased rates for those in the surrounding area. Marshall questioned the rationale behind offering tax breaks to data center developers, arguing that they do not generate substantial employment opportunities post-construction.
Marshall further stated that the issues are both a state and county concern, particularly in terms of zoning. He stressed the need for developers and local governments to resolve the "water issue" and "electricity issue," suggesting that closed-loop systems might address some of the concerns. The Senator concluded by underscoring the importance of listening to Kansans' worries, which he believes might also be linked to job security, and observing how these developments will unfold.