No one had a problem with data centers for decades until it became politically expedient... If you care about "health, safety, and quality of life" issues, then why are we developing a casino, putting up slot machines in convenience stores and opening weed shops on every corner? Seems like the common motivating factor is needing tax revenue - but I guess tax revenue tied to technology is bad now... I thought revenue is revenue? The truth is that data centers - especially new ones - operate safely and efficiently (particularly with closed loop water cooling). The driving force of higher electricity rates here is our misguided power and energy laws at the state level (see below post). What happens when we say we want more EVs and electrification of industry, but also make it harder to build more baseload power and prematurely retire reliable generation assets?... If anything, data centers can help lower power costs by helping build more generation and apportioning fixed costs like transmission and distribution over more users. Also, the type of data centers the critics have in mind - massive 500 MW + construction projects - aren't getting built in city limits anyways! This is all incredibly frustrating to witness. The city needs growth and revenue - and we are turning it down under false pretenses for very misinformed political reasons.