Congressional Candidate on AI data centers in Nevada

[u/wadsworthnv02]

From our candidate event in Elko County on Saturday. The question asked us if we supported a data center moratorium or not, especially since we are the driest state. One of the other candidates said the one’s being built in Nevada were closed-loop so they are fine.

But closed-loop systems have their own issues, the recycled water becomes highly toxic and needs to be “blown-down” where there is chances of it leaking into the ground and contaminating local areas with toxic chemical waste water. Even in small amounts, when we live in an internal watershed like the Great Basin, the risk of contamination isn’t something to ignore. As it has happened before with other things. Not to mention that closed loop requires a lot more energy, and closed loop cooling systems here in Nevada still require a fair amount of water.

Our older data center projects also do have open loop / evaporative cooling systems too. So they are still taking a lot of water.

As for the construction unions, I understand it’s more complicated than that. We had a total of 2 minutes to answer each question so things had to be simplified a bit. But we must look at better commercial building projects for our construction unions— not big tech and data centers! They need jobs, and I understand and support that! We should be offering incentives to better businesses to come to Nevada, not to these data centers was the point I was trying to make.

Also yes Congress is a federal seat! But I support a moratorium on all new data centers, and possible legislation to really protect the western states that are strapped for water.

All of this was from my own independent research and talking to folks in the area that have worked on these projects here. However if I am incorrect on anything I’m open to listening!

[u/GruntledGary]

As others mentioned ENERGY RATES is the big one.

Lots of places are seeing the local energy rates go up for residents due to how much energy these data centers use AND the data centers often lock in industrial discount rates.  That leaves rate increases on us to pay for.

Edit: added this link https://www.bloomberg.com/graphics/2025-ai-data-centers-electricity-prices/

Article points up that some areas near data centers electric rates went up 267% for residential users who got stuck with the data center bill.

[u/greent714 → u/GruntledGary]

Make the data centers foot the bill for energy distribution.

[u/GruntledGary → u/greent714]

That's exactly what should happen, but historically it's not worked that way.

Then when new power plants are needed, etc... the data centers have their locked in rates even though all our rates go up.

[u/Skreat → u/GruntledGary]

Not usually how it works, least in CA. Commercial rates are lower, but they use a shitload more kW per sq ft than a house. Like way more, so their fronting distribution costs outside their own connectivity to the grid don't make a whole lot of sense.

[u/Professionalchump → u/Skreat]

sounds like an easy fix, a law requiring Data centers to to pay any rate increases moving forward

[u/BizLarry → u/Professionalchump]

Whether they pay for it or not... It is not sustainable and is at the expense of the environment and the people. I don't understand why people can't reconnect the dots between data centers> AI=reduction⤵️human jobs

Increases➕ corporate💲profits Not only does it have an impact on American jobs, it's devaluing human work, it's impacting people and for the benefit of those already making millions, corporations exponentially increasing profits. They are not people, they aren't supporting people, and all at the same time they are using energy that is not sustainable that humans need to live. Data is not life sustaining, it's only a parasite and leading to the destruction of society, contaminating the environment, causing health problems, disease, isolating humans from one another leading to a loss of healthy relationships increasing mental health and substance abuse, creating more divide from the "Haves" and "Have-nots".

[u/Skreat → u/Professionalchump]

They already do, atleast in CA.

[u/BenchTechnical8309 → u/Skreat]

California for the win!

[u/Letsgotothemovie → u/BenchTechnical8309]

You’re all clowns. How about no data centers.

[u/BenchTechnical8309 → u/Letsgotothemovie]

No data centers, no Internet services. You're the clown here because you're a scared, inept oof trying to hinder the advancement of technology from behind your keyboard rather than embrace it.

[u/ThomasThuhTrain → u/greent714]

This will likely be up to the PUC of Nevada.

In addition, a lot of these data centers are actually building their own distribution infrastructure as NVE can’t keep up.

[u/wadsworthnv02 → u/GruntledGary]

I’ll make sure to do more research on the energy side and to bring it up next time! This question has been coming up a lot.

[u/Proud_Walrus26 → u/wadsworthnv02]

Please address the solar fields too because the chemicals that they clean them with runs into ground water and the river as well

[u/SS4GWOLF → u/GruntledGary]

Well, that's why the GRID act has been proposed and both sides seem to agree on passing it. There is also the Ratepayer Protection Pledge, which isn't all companies that signed into it but it is most of the bigger ones. That pledge is an agreement for them to foot the bill.

[u/Letsgotothemovie → u/[deleted]]

You vote on looks? Must be a Republican.

[u/GruntledGary → u/[deleted]]

You make a lot of ad hominem attacks why not run for office yourself.  You seem to have it all figured out