Data centers are the next chapter in Indiana’s industrial heritage
The opinion article argues that Indiana should embrace data center development as the next phase of its industrial economy while protecting utility customers and requiring new projects to pay for the infrastructure they use. It highlights Amazon's planned $11 billion campus near New Carlisle and Google's $2 billion data center in Fort Wayne, as well as an Indiana utility agreement approved for a large northern Indiana customer.
Jeff Danielson, a former Iowa state senator and vice president of the Advocacy Clean Grid Association, argues that Indiana should treat data centers as an extension of its industrial heritage rather than reject them. He points to Amazon's planned $11 billion campus near New Carlisle and Google's $2 billion Fort Wayne facility as major investments expected to create construction work, permanent jobs and broader economic benefits.
Danielson says Indiana must ensure that data centers pay the costs they impose on the electric system and protect existing ratepayers. He cites the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission's approval of a northern Indiana service agreement that separates the financial risk of serving a large data center from other NIPSCO customers, provides potential bill credits and requires the new customer to fund related transmission investments. He also urges partnerships with Ivy Tech, Purdue University Northwest, schools and trade programs to develop local workers for data center construction and operations.