I just moved to Virginia two weeks ago. I will be following and joining in your actions. Thank you for giving me a place I can donate to that is doing something useful.
It is time for this country to stop being a giant money whore! Either people matter or we don’t. Find other ways to save the economy. Tax the hell out of multi-billionaires
I live not far from where these data centers are planning to be built. With the Botetourt County supervisors making most of their decisions behind closed doors, in a perfect world, the county citizens should be able to show these supervisors the door, telling them to "pack their stuff and get out. You failed to act on behalf of the majority citizens. You're done." But, since accountability now appears to be a mere pipe dream from the past, here we are.
The most annoying thing, besides the lying, is that there are other ways to cool the compute core, but those options are more expensive. So, the wealthiest assholes on the planet want to use all the clean water, while there are other options. Other countries have denied them access to the water, so you know what they did? They spent the money. It's cheaper for them to buy a few politicians, so we have to mark them for primarying.
I think that preferring the non-water data centers would be a powerful argument, because it can't be portrayed as obstructionist. However, the centers also use an enormous amount of electricity. Going by memory, the center Jessica described would take about as much as a large coal or nuclear plant provides. The existing grid likely does not have excess capacity.
That's true and while they are also being forced to make use of solar and wind in these other countries, this reduces but doesn't eliminate stress on the grid.
My electric cost/kw has almost doubled in the last couple years, because it turns out we are also paying for the buildout of the grid needed for the data centers, while playing spin the brownout.
On the plus side, Gov Hochul just signed a freeze on approval for new data centers for one year and until an environmental impact study can be completed. That's a win.
There are a whole host of things we need protection from. Surveillance, like Anduril, bypasses community review so most people don't know it's in their neighborhood.
Wow Jessica, that is a fight and a headache you didn't need! I lived in Blacksburg, VA years ago and got my doctorate there (Va Tech). Such a beautiful state and nice people. I will donate $100 to the legal fund you indicated. We are also sending best wishes for the legal team's success.
I am also in rural Virginia. They take water from our aquifer for massive chicken production facilities. It is small in comparison to the shocking level you are describing, but corporate willingness to take water is well documented. The scale keeps getting larger and larger.
I tried canceling my Google account a year ago but got frustrated with how it subsequently limited app functions, so I signed up again. HOWEVER, I just canceled my account again 2 weeks ago and I feel GREAT. I have to do workarounds on a few things, but that's nothing compared with the satisfaction I have from canceling those MF's.
And WTF with Abigail Spanberger. Dems celebrated her election, but from what I have seen of her thoughts and works, she is a very large hypocrite. She is telling her state's citizens to conserve water so whack jobs can make AI memes on social media? My god. I am 76. First half of my life I was a Republican. 30 year ago I got the hell out of that hot mess and became a Democrat. Well screw the incompetent Democrats. Two months ago I got the hell out of there also and became an Independent.
I hope momentum against this particular project can serve as a model that grinds these hyperscale data centers to a halt. Drought is a SERIOUS enemy now. 40 million in the Basin States threatened as Lake Powell and Mead dry up. Three million more as the Rio Grande is reduced to a trickle. Agriculture is getting hammered by drought and fire seasons grow ever longer and more difficult to control. The US West is on fire and so is Europe. Big Tech needs to be brought to its knees. Food on our tables is becoming the next crisis.
Geoff, will there be a headline that really gets everyone's attention? Like "Everyone in a town of 15,000 opened their water taps and NOTHING came out."
I look for that headline in every article I write. So far, riffing on Sheryl Crow with "Leaving Las Vegas" had the most success. Was it the headline or the subject?
Few people understand the depths of our dilemma or have time or the bandwidth to do so. This has been a five-year effort for me of massive research to understand climate change and overshoot. How many have time to do that?
I worked as a graphic designer for 25 years. I would suggest your headline should be "Tapped Out," with the subhead carrying the details and a closeup picture of an old tap with a rusty drip coming out.
One point of irony - the flyer to support BOCODC was probably made using AI. I went down a whole rabbit hole on AI slop posters and flyers the other day. The paint brush swooshes are a giveaway. Not sure where to find that thread now. Probably on Bsky.
I saw that poster when I donated. I'll take your word about whether it is AI. Disappointing if so. What were they thinking. A human-made appeal would be much more effective, even something drawn by someone's 10 year old child. That would tie the appeal to the human need. The cause is good, though. FYI: They request a minimum $100 donation, so maybe you can pool with a couple of friends.
That's so messed up :(. There are so many places around the world without clean water and we are trying to use up more water for technology. We are destroying our planet all for the sake of having AI do stuff for us that we can do ourselves. Thus is sad. Not sure how I can help but makes me angry.
I just moved to Virginia two weeks ago. I will be following and joining in your actions. Thank you for giving me a place I can donate to that is doing something useful.
Amen.
It is time for this country to stop being a giant money whore! Either people matter or we don’t. Find other ways to save the economy. Tax the hell out of multi-billionaires
I’m so fucking sick of electing democrats to be democrats and then they turn around and govern like republicans
Amen to that.
Water wars are here.
People need to hear about it. There are some heavy hitters getting involved and I too am watching and spreading the word. This is indeed a template.
I went to Virginia tech and I love southwest Virginia and its beauty too 💛💛💛
That`s powerful Jessica !!!! what are they thinking ???
Obviously not .. water is Life and they want ALL the water ???
Like you said.. we`re already in a drought FUL situation
I live not far from where these data centers are planning to be built. With the Botetourt County supervisors making most of their decisions behind closed doors, in a perfect world, the county citizens should be able to show these supervisors the door, telling them to "pack their stuff and get out. You failed to act on behalf of the majority citizens. You're done." But, since accountability now appears to be a mere pipe dream from the past, here we are.
I think there's a chance that Petersen & Associates can stop the data center and then the county can vote out the board responsible.
EDIT: That would be wonderful if this could happen!
Thank you for writing this piece on this subject! I have family in the county who are deeply concerned.
That would be wonder if this could happen!
Thank you for reporting on this! I have family in the county who are deeply concerned.
The most annoying thing, besides the lying, is that there are other ways to cool the compute core, but those options are more expensive. So, the wealthiest assholes on the planet want to use all the clean water, while there are other options. Other countries have denied them access to the water, so you know what they did? They spent the money. It's cheaper for them to buy a few politicians, so we have to mark them for primarying.
I think that preferring the non-water data centers would be a powerful argument, because it can't be portrayed as obstructionist. However, the centers also use an enormous amount of electricity. Going by memory, the center Jessica described would take about as much as a large coal or nuclear plant provides. The existing grid likely does not have excess capacity.
That's true and while they are also being forced to make use of solar and wind in these other countries, this reduces but doesn't eliminate stress on the grid.
My electric cost/kw has almost doubled in the last couple years, because it turns out we are also paying for the buildout of the grid needed for the data centers, while playing spin the brownout.
That price increase is awful!
On the plus side, Gov Hochul just signed a freeze on approval for new data centers for one year and until an environmental impact study can be completed. That's a win.
Someone in these comments had donated to fight a data center in the finger lakes region. They will be happy to know that.
There are a whole host of things we need protection from. Surveillance, like Anduril, bypasses community review so most people don't know it's in their neighborhood.
Wow Jessica, that is a fight and a headache you didn't need! I lived in Blacksburg, VA years ago and got my doctorate there (Va Tech). Such a beautiful state and nice people. I will donate $100 to the legal fund you indicated. We are also sending best wishes for the legal team's success.
Thank you!
Brava, Jessica! I like you more every day! Great that you’re stopping the giant sycophant Google. I’m disappointed by gov. Spanberger.
I am also in rural Virginia. They take water from our aquifer for massive chicken production facilities. It is small in comparison to the shocking level you are describing, but corporate willingness to take water is well documented. The scale keeps getting larger and larger.
abigail spanberger has been a massive disappointment :(
More so by the minute.....
I tried canceling my Google account a year ago but got frustrated with how it subsequently limited app functions, so I signed up again. HOWEVER, I just canceled my account again 2 weeks ago and I feel GREAT. I have to do workarounds on a few things, but that's nothing compared with the satisfaction I have from canceling those MF's.
And WTF with Abigail Spanberger. Dems celebrated her election, but from what I have seen of her thoughts and works, she is a very large hypocrite. She is telling her state's citizens to conserve water so whack jobs can make AI memes on social media? My god. I am 76. First half of my life I was a Republican. 30 year ago I got the hell out of that hot mess and became a Democrat. Well screw the incompetent Democrats. Two months ago I got the hell out of there also and became an Independent.
I hope momentum against this particular project can serve as a model that grinds these hyperscale data centers to a halt. Drought is a SERIOUS enemy now. 40 million in the Basin States threatened as Lake Powell and Mead dry up. Three million more as the Rio Grande is reduced to a trickle. Agriculture is getting hammered by drought and fire seasons grow ever longer and more difficult to control. The US West is on fire and so is Europe. Big Tech needs to be brought to its knees. Food on our tables is becoming the next crisis.
Geoff, will there be a headline that really gets everyone's attention? Like "Everyone in a town of 15,000 opened their water taps and NOTHING came out."
I look for that headline in every article I write. So far, riffing on Sheryl Crow with "Leaving Las Vegas" had the most success. Was it the headline or the subject?
Few people understand the depths of our dilemma or have time or the bandwidth to do so. This has been a five-year effort for me of massive research to understand climate change and overshoot. How many have time to do that?
I worked as a graphic designer for 25 years. I would suggest your headline should be "Tapped Out," with the subhead carrying the details and a closeup picture of an old tap with a rusty drip coming out.
One point of irony - the flyer to support BOCODC was probably made using AI. I went down a whole rabbit hole on AI slop posters and flyers the other day. The paint brush swooshes are a giveaway. Not sure where to find that thread now. Probably on Bsky.
I saw that poster when I donated. I'll take your word about whether it is AI. Disappointing if so. What were they thinking. A human-made appeal would be much more effective, even something drawn by someone's 10 year old child. That would tie the appeal to the human need. The cause is good, though. FYI: They request a minimum $100 donation, so maybe you can pool with a couple of friends.
That's so messed up :(. There are so many places around the world without clean water and we are trying to use up more water for technology. We are destroying our planet all for the sake of having AI do stuff for us that we can do ourselves. Thus is sad. Not sure how I can help but makes me angry.