Socialized Costs, Privatized Profits

Why many Missourians are pushing back against large-scale data center expansion

Data centers are used for many good things, from streaming Netflix to managing bank accounts. But they are also increasingly used to run AI, Bitcoin, and surveillance. Missourians are being asked to allow more data centers to be constructed in the state, and people are pushing back. Hard.

The problem is that many of our political leaders blindly approve these projects without honestly discussing the costs and risks with their constituents. In effect, they’re hiding negative information from the public and rushing to approve construction. And the people are rightfully upset.

These facilities consume enormous amounts of electricity and water. And they fill the air with a constant humming noise that drones on 24/7. Further, many of the data centers will run AI applications, an exciting but potentially dangerous new technology that not even the AI pioneers completely understand. The companies behind these projects promise tax revenue and economic growth, but they’re not being honest about the tradeoffs involved. Thanks to SB4, our utility bills are already higher, presumably to fund the additional power plants needed to support these data centers. In effect, the data center companies are asking us to socialize the costs and risks while they privatize the profits. Missourians are beginning to smell a rat.

As a certified AWS Cloud Practitioner and having spent time in several data centers, I understand their capabilities, both positive and negative. With that in mind, I’m not saying we should reject technological advancement, but I am saying we should approach it responsibly, with transparency, oversight, legal safeguards, and honest risk-benefit analysis. I therefore propose a moratorium on further data center deployments in Missouri until we can figure out how to shift the costs and risks onto the data center companies. We must also update our rules and policies to address the new challenges posed by the underlying technology and keep ourselves safe from harmful AI-driven consequences.