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Myers clarifies that a data center is essentially a warehouse-sized facility filled with server racks housing specialized computer chips that handle internet traffic and power artificial intelligence models.

He emphasizes that while data centers have been in use since the 1990s, current anxieties stem from an unprecedented construction boom. The United States is undergoing its largest infrastructure expansion in decades, with an estimated $400 billion to $500 billion projected for data center construction this year alone—a sum that exceeds the inflation-adjusted cost of the entire Apollo space program.

Addressing environmental impact, Myers likens data centers to industrial logistics hubs. He explains that while they do not consume excessive amounts of water compared to similar industrial structures, their massive electricity consumption places significant strain on local power grids, raising concerns about power reliability and higher electricity rates for local residents. When compared internationally, he notes that China maintains a strong advantage in rapidly building out physical power and utility infrastructure.

Ultimately, Myers suggests that local opposition to data centers reflects broader societal anxieties about rapid AI development, potential job automation, and limited regulatory oversight, providing communities with a concrete outlet to express their fears.

• Rollins in the News