Domain: tiger-web1.srvr.media3.us Blanchard, LA Residents Voice Concern Over Proposed $12 Billion Amazon Data Center...... | Political Talk
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Blanchard, LA Residents Voice Concern Over Proposed $12 Billion Amazon Data Center......

Posted on 3/4/26 at 2:55 pm
Posted by KCT
Psalm 23:5
Member since Feb 2010
48379 posts
Posted on 3/4/26 at 2:55 pm
I hadn't heard anything about this even though I live fairly close to this town. I know this won't interest most people here, but I was thinking there might be a couple of posters here who have some information about it.

Obtw, I saw at least one additional video where a small town in Arizona also had concerns about an Amazon Data Center coming to their town. Strange.

Small clip.

Posted by jeffsdad
Member since Mar 2007
24434 posts
Posted on 3/4/26 at 3:23 pm to
Closest relative and friend lives there. Mostly worried about electricity prices.
Posted by SJB901Tiger
901
Member since May 2019
106 posts
Posted on 3/4/26 at 3:25 pm to
These have to be the same people/ organized by the same people that show up and fight oil pipelines and fracking. I bet the money flows from the same source.
Posted by Bourbon Bebe
Member since Oct 2023
193 posts
Posted on 3/4/26 at 3:31 pm to
Data Centers also use incredible amounts of water and there must also be concern that it will strain the water supply.
Posted by StringedInstruments
Member since Oct 2013
20756 posts
Posted on 3/4/26 at 3:33 pm to
Happening all over.

Live in a small, modest town? You’re in danger of a tech data center being planted right next to you. Public representatives don’t give a shite about the consequences. They just want the money.
Posted by captainFid
Never apologize to barbarism
Member since Dec 2014
9908 posts
Posted on 3/4/26 at 3:35 pm to
quote:

Closest relative and friend lives there. Mostly worried about electricity prices.

Most electric companies [I am not a spokesman] do not mix the bulk power w/ residential... tech companies are not subsidized by the power companies; instead usually, state and local tax incentives.
Posted by kingbob
Sorrento, LA
Member since Nov 2010
69842 posts
Posted on 3/4/26 at 3:36 pm to
These data centers require more electricity than most small towns and cities in the state. They are not required to build their own co-gen units to increase electricity supply. Any increases in electricity prices caused by the added strain is being passed onto consumers. They’re typically exempted from paying property taxes. All of this in exchange for each data center only providing a couple dozen permanent full time jobs for the community. That’s not even getting into the issues regarding water use. I don’t see how these data centers, in their current deals and configurations are a good deal for the residents of their communities.

This is the biggest boondoggle in this state right now after the nixing of the sediment diversion projects and the proposed carbon capture schemes.
Posted by Ag Zwin
Member since Mar 2016
25887 posts
Posted on 3/4/26 at 3:39 pm to
Huge issue here (Duluth, shores of Lake Superior). Already a deep blue area that now has an issue.

To hear these people tell it, this will turn Lake Superior into a polluted hot tub.

On the other hand, we could use whatever industrial/tech investments we can get. Too dependent on tourism, healthcare, and education.

Not sure where I land on all of it. One data center would not even register on that big arse lake, but there may be legit issues.
Posted by KCT
Psalm 23:5
Member since Feb 2010
48379 posts
Posted on 3/4/26 at 3:43 pm to
Hey, thanks to everybody who weighed in on this. I just heard about it today and was curious.

Yeah. Water and electricity concerns. Perhaps very few locals get jobs. No property taxes.

I think I see why they target small towns.


PS - The mayor seems okay with it, but who knows what he might be getting out of the deal?
This post was edited on 3/4/26 at 3:45 pm
Posted by lurking
Member since Nov 2022
1675 posts
Posted on 3/4/26 at 3:47 pm to
Here’s what I said on the OB about a data center in Mobile being built:

quote:

They subcontract to various construction companies that employ fleets of illegals. A data center near me under construction was raided last month and lost 70% of their workforce. Post construction you’re talking low wage security jobs and possibly a dozen or so on site full time tech positions that will be filled by H1B.


The project will ultimately be a net negative for your area.
Posted by TigerAxeOK
Where I lay my head is home.
Member since Dec 2016
36986 posts
Posted on 3/4/26 at 3:52 pm to
Saw Trump working with the tech companies on TV earlier, talking about plans for these data centers to build their own power production facilities and actually put excess power back into the grid and help lower electric costs for consumers.

Sounds all well and good at face value.

Problem is, the water usage. Maybe not such a big deal in wet states like Louisiana but in my area of Oklahoma we're on the edge of the "drought zone". Typically the rivers stay flowing and lakes stay full, but it doesn't take a big anomaly in weather systems to run us critically dry. Start pulling that valuable water for data centers and it's a problem. Start pulling 2 or 3 times that water to cool the power stations that feed the data centers, and it's a BIG problem.

Screw all these data centers to hell. Put them in orbit like Musk suggested.
Posted by BlackAdam
Member since Jan 2016
7105 posts
Posted on 3/4/26 at 3:52 pm to
LED is out recruiting these things left and right. There will be a dozen announced.

By the time any are operational technology will eliminate 95% of the jobs to run them, and the required footprint will go from hundreds of acres to hundreds of square feet. We will be left with the eyesore buildings and the surcharges for all the new power plants and distribution lines.
Posted by deuceiswild
South La
Member since Nov 2007
4639 posts
Posted on 3/4/26 at 3:52 pm to
Why do data centers need incredible amounts of water?
Posted by Timeoday
Easter Island
Member since Aug 2020
20882 posts
Posted on 3/4/26 at 3:53 pm to
Of course government wants data. They need to know what we are doing.

Who is watching them? It certainly is not your MSM.
Posted by BlackAdam
Member since Jan 2016
7105 posts
Posted on 3/4/26 at 3:55 pm to
quote:

They’re typically exempted from paying property taxes.


I don't think they are eligible for ITEP, but Louisiana has chosen to give up the sales and use taxes, so for a facility like the AWS facility the state is forgoing $500 million or more in sales tax. That is on top of the massive strains these things will put on water and power. They are awful projects.
Posted by thegreatboudini
Member since Oct 2008
7157 posts
Posted on 3/4/26 at 3:55 pm to
quote:

Data Centers also use incredible amounts of water and there must also be concern that it will strain the water supply.


This is false with the modern closed loop systems that are currently in production.

Yes, it requires a few million gallons to start, but it does not drink and burn water like the open loop systems did 15 years ago. They lose something like 2% a month.
Posted by Bjorn Cyborg
Member since Sep 2016
34946 posts
Posted on 3/4/26 at 3:56 pm to
Would you rather have a paper mill or a chemical plant?

I'm sure data centers have their negatives, but compared to most industries it's clean.

Posted by Captain Crown
Member since Jun 2011
56809 posts
Posted on 3/4/26 at 3:57 pm to
I hear mixed reviews from family and friends in the area.
Posted by Swazla
Member since Jul 2016
1862 posts
Posted on 3/4/26 at 4:03 pm to
You’re an idiot.
Posted by Jim Rockford
Member since May 2011
104774 posts
Posted on 3/4/26 at 4:10 pm to
quote:

Would you rather have a paper mill or a chemical plant?

I'm sure data centers have their negatives, but compared to most industries it's clean.



At least with those you get a few hundred to a few thousand jobs that the locals would be qualified for.
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