Legislative AI Task Force hears complaints, positive impacts of data centers
A Mississippi legislative AI Task Force heard testimony on the impacts of data centers across the state, including community complaints about noise, water usage, and lack of public input regarding an xAI facility. Utility companies and local mayors provided rebuttals, discussing grid infrastructure benefits and local zoning controls, while the MDEQ addressed environmental regulations. The task force is considering recommendations for future state legislation.
A two-day hearing by the Mississippi Legislature's AI Task Force focused on gathering information regarding the state's increasing number of data centers, considering both community concerns and economic benefits.
On the first day, community members and advocates voiced complaints, with Shannon Samsa, director of Safe and Sound Coalition, detailing issues with xAI's data center in North Mississippi. Samsa reported excessive noise from 59 diesel generators, with 49 more planned, and concerns about particulate matter air pollution. She also criticized the lack of public input during the project's approval process and questioned reported increases in water usage from local aquifers. Jim Walsh, Policy Director at Food and Water Watch, broadened the criticism to include potential financial burdens on communities for infrastructure, increased utility rates, and the limited job benefits versus tax incentives. Walsh also highlighted a national trend of data center moratoriums.
The second day featured rebuttals from local governments and utility providers. Chris Wells, executive director of the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ), outlined the agency's role in regulating air pollution, water consumption, and habitat protections, while noting MDEQ lacks authority over noise levels and foresees future issues with e-waste. Jeremy Vanderloo, Entergy Vice President, and Stephen Schruff, Mississippi Power General Manager, argued that data centers, including those operated by Amazon and Compass, contribute significantly to building out the state's electricity infrastructure and help keep rates down for customers. Andrea Hutchins of Amazon's Economic Development team detailed the company's $10 billion investment in Mississippi, creating 7,000 jobs and covering 100% of grid upgrade costs.
Clinton Mayor Will Purdie and Ridgeland Mayor Gene McGee advocated for maintaining local control over data center requirements, such as mandating closed-loop cooling systems and power grid connections in industrially zoned areas. Brent Collard of Compass Datacenters emphasized their use of closed-loop cooling and significant investments in grid improvements. The task force plans to use these testimonies to formulate legislative recommendations for the 2027 session.