scripod.com
The data center war

Overview

Shownote

Highlights

Transcript

Chapters

Pins

The data center war

Today, Explained

May 16
Today, Explained

Today, Explained

May 16
OverviewShownoteHighlightsTranscriptChaptersPins

Shownote

There’s a growing disconnect between a local community that says it’s being treated as the "guinea pigs" in a new industrial revolution, and Washington politicians. This show was edited by Kasia Broussalian, fact checked by Esther Gim, mixed by Shannon Mahoney, video edited by Christopher Snyder and Shelby Smith, and hosted by Astead Herndon. A massive new data center in Vineland, New Jersey. Photo by Alex Peterson. You can also watch this episode on youtube.com/vox. Listen to Today, Explained ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members. New Vox members get $20 off their membership right now. Transcript at ⁠vox.com/today-explained-podcast.⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]

Highlights

In this episode, we explore the growing tension between a local community in Vineland, New Jersey and political leaders over a massive new data center. Residents feel sidelined and used as test subjects for an industrial revolution driven by AI, while politicians debate the trade-offs between economic growth and community well-being.
00:00
Local residents feel excluded from the decision-making process regarding a new data center.
03:10
A local resident describes the massive new data center in Vineland, New Jersey, as a hyperscale project built without community input, sparking backlash and packed city council meetings where residents feel treated as guinea pigs for an industrial revolution driven by political deals.
08:19
A local activist discusses community backlash against a large data center in Vineland, New Jersey, citing concerns over rising energy bills, lack of information, and the project targeting a low-income area.
16:18
A local resident calls for a pause on the data center, stating the project brings few jobs relative to its size and strains the grid.
18:55
Local residents in Vineland, New Jersey, express frustration over a new data center, feeling it harms their community and quality of life without local benefits.

Chapters

A New Data Center Sparks Outrage in Vineland: Why Residents Feel Left Out
00:00
The Hyperscale Project That Ignited a Community: No Input, Full Backlash
03:10
Rising Bills and Bipartisan Fury: The Fight to Delay the Data Center
08:19
Town Hall Showdown: Residents vs. Developers in Bridgeton
13:27
Ugly Buildings, AI Anxiety, and a Call for Regulation: Vineland's Frustration
18:55

Transcript

Astead Herndon: Okay, so today, we're driving to southern New Jersey. I'm heading to a data center. Convertible, Are we sure? It's hot enough for that? My man, that's a little aggressive. King. Okay. So a couple weeks ago, I read a story in NJ.com, and it ...