Nevada Unions Say Data Centers Could Benefit Workers
Nevada electrical and construction union leaders say responsible data center development could create well-paying jobs, despite polling showing that most Nevada voters oppose building new facilities. They support rules requiring data centers to pay their own power costs, protect ratepayers, use water-saving cooling systems and provide measurable public benefits.
A report citing the Nevada Independent examines the divide between public opposition to new data centers and support from several labor leaders. A September poll found that nearly six in 10 Nevada voters opposed additional data center construction, while union officials said the projects could create well-paying electrical and construction jobs and bring economic opportunities to the state.
Reynold Young of IBEW Local 357, Jacob Hos of IBEW Local 401 and Susie Martinez of the AFL-CIO said development should proceed responsibly, with strong labor standards and protections for ratepayers. They called for data centers to pay for their own electricity, prevent energy costs from being shifted to consumers and use closed-loop cooling systems to reduce water consumption. The report also notes union concerns about artificial intelligence displacing jobs and calls for federal AI regulation.