When Your New Neighbor Is… a Data Center from Climate One

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When Your New Neighbor Is… a Data Center

1 hour 1 minutes Posted Jun 26, 2026 at 7:15 am.

Introduction

KeShaun Pearson on updates to the Colossus data center pollution

KeShaun Pearson on state regulators allowing an expansion of gas turbines

KeShaun Pearson on the effect of the pollution on the community

KeShaun Pearson on what he hopes the lawsuits can achieve

Rebecca Egan McCarthy on Archbald and data center development

Rebecca Egan McCarthy on who has the power to regulate data center projects

Rebecca Egan McCarthy on data center development outside of Archbald

Jason Plautz on changing attitudes toward data centers

Jason Plautz on where there is meaningful regulation happening

Jason Plautz on state level regulatory changes

Jason Plautz on the pace of data center development

Astrid Atkinson on the effects of data center energy load on the grid

Astrid Atkinson on what flexibility means in the energy world

Astrid Atkinson on hyperscalers paying for their energy

Astrid Atkinson on how some policy changes can help communities

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Show notes

Across the country, developers are racing to build huge new buildings to house computers to fuel the AI boom, creating an explosive demand for new energy. While some hyperscalers seek renewable energy, others are turning to fossil fuels. But concerns around high electric bills, air and noise pollution and water depletion have generated widespread community pushback against these giant facilities, and it seems opposing data centers is a bipartisan issue. Many cities and states are working to rapidly update zoning and other local regulations to respond to the dual pressures of developer interest and constituent backlash.

Since data center development isn’t slowing down, what policies or creative strategies can lessen the impacts for local communities and ratepayers?

Guests:

KeShaun Pearson, Executive Director, Memphis Community Against Pollution

Rebecca Egan McCarthy, Freelance Journalist

Jason Plautz, Reporter, E&E News and Politico

Astrid Atkinson, CEO, Camus

Highlights:

For show notes and related links, visit ⁠our episode page⁠ at climateone.org

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