Nick87
Well-known member
If they're union and have. Decent one they should be getting that work in there back yard regardless of the sub. That sucks.
Data Centers
- Thread starter Gulf of America
- Start date
Hunting Wife
Well-known member
We’ve got a bunch of interest in these, but we also have a significant conservation easement footprint. It’s going to be an interesting path forward. A lot of these companies are inclined to just bulldoze the easement and deal with the repercussions after the fact because they have endless supplies of money.
At the same time, some of these data centers require as much power as the annual usage of an entire city. And of course the infrastructure and generation capacity for such does not yet exist. Electric rates have been increasing fairly rapidly for average consumers, and the companies, of course, are getting breaks for “commercial use”. Regular consumers are getting shafted in order to subsidize all the infrastructure build out necessary for these data centers, cloud computing centers, battery storage facilities, additional substations. Another example of socializing the costs so they can privatize the profits.
At the same time, some of these data centers require as much power as the annual usage of an entire city. And of course the infrastructure and generation capacity for such does not yet exist. Electric rates have been increasing fairly rapidly for average consumers, and the companies, of course, are getting breaks for “commercial use”. Regular consumers are getting shafted in order to subsidize all the infrastructure build out necessary for these data centers, cloud computing centers, battery storage facilities, additional substations. Another example of socializing the costs so they can privatize the profits.
Nick87
Well-known member
That's the vibe I get when I'm on those jobs. The extras they sign off for are mind-blowing. Its like they're printing money.
Data centers are a key to tech growth. Better AI needs more data. Then add in "the cloud". Everything is stored and backed up to the cloud. Software apps don't store locally anymore, off to the cloud. Most government related data has to be stored in US only data centers, via the cloud
The cloud is physically in data centers
Its flatout just cheaper for companies to use the cloud rather that build and use local storage
The cloud is physically in data centers
Its flatout just cheaper for companies to use the cloud rather that build and use local storage
Outlaw99
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- Oct 9, 2019
- Messages
- 536
I’ll be honest, I don’t have a clue what 90% of that means. I just wish we could go back to spiral notebooks and a good ink pen lol.
RidgeRunner76
Active member
I've spent over 30 years in Power Generation. Spent more time in WY than my home state of CO at times. I live just south, know people on the contract as well.
I truly have no idea where they will be able to pull enough power from unless there is a major upgrade in Generation. Given they've killed most reliable sources to baseload the grid with extensive plans to shut major megawatts down. I'm truly at a loss. This doesn't even touch the water issues either.
This is not just a local issue . Its Global and we meet about this daily with our sister offices abroad.
I truly have no idea where they will be able to pull enough power from unless there is a major upgrade in Generation. Given they've killed most reliable sources to baseload the grid with extensive plans to shut major megawatts down. I'm truly at a loss. This doesn't even touch the water issues either.
This is not just a local issue . Its Global and we meet about this daily with our sister offices abroad.
Redmt
Well-known member
I never really understood what the cloud is? Is it a centralized monster hard drive type thing?
Nameless Range
Well-known member
It's just a massive, secure, distributed network of hard drives somewhere else.
Redmt
Well-known member
I'm still amazed at how hard-line phone systems work. I'm still a nuts and bolts, hammer and paint guy.
BillDoe708
Active member
I have seen these movies. It doesn't end well.
WyoCoalMiner
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- Nov 14, 2024
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- 312
This one in particular intends to generate their own, from Nat Gas.
RidgeRunner76
Active member
I'm not PM'ing anything there. We're just hearing deep concerns from those that are. Of course that brings us back to water usage and the Industry demands therein....
RidgeRunner76
Active member
You in Gillette or Kemmerer? Its been a dynamic in both places for a dang long time. Mining and Generation wise.
I’m about to be swallowed up by Omaha and Lincoln. Lincoln just ramrodded a project to pump water from the Missouri River to them to supply the city. There’s a guy going around offering guys $35-40k an acre because they want to buy entire sections to put up data centers and the power plants to run them. I know a couple guys that have sold to the projects and some people are mad, but I can’t blame them. That’s a ton of money to turn down.
I guess it’s just hard for me to picture all of this land covered up by concrete streets and buildings.
I guess it’s just hard for me to picture all of this land covered up by concrete streets and buildings.
BigHornRam
Well-known member
They also plan to pump the CO2 underground to mitigate the impact of greenhouse gas. Not sure how well that technology works. It's all discused in the links provided.
RidgeRunner76
Active member
You'll need to dig really deep as I've lost those links, but DOE was building a 0 emissions Coal Plant back east in the mid 2000s, that did exactly this for Tech development. Billions were invested and they shifted to different tech. It would have been one heck of a test bed. So, I'm making the assumption tech from that project is now applicable on this one.
WyoCoalMiner
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- 312
Rock Springs
Irrelevant
Well-known member
Even if they do, it's like a $2B campus build. Even if they employed every union worker in the valley, most of that money would leave the area.
Nunjagottam
Active member
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- Dec 27, 2025
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- 29
So, they max out all available local support but need to bring in additional manpower? I dont see the validity of this complaint/argument. If they're hiring everyone available from the area, I'd say the company has met or exceeded its obligation to the community. Big projects require diverse and specialized skillsets. When you max out the manpower and skillets available locally you must bring in outside help in order to get the job done.
I dont like these facilities getting built any more than the next guy, but the local jobs complaint is a red herring.
The ire should be focused on the City and County planning boards who approve this shit without conducting any meaningful due diligence on how their constituents will be affected.
We can and should try to make it to every meeting. But most of these big projects are multiple meetings, usually during business hours when John Q Public is at work unable to attend. So, the City/County board sees who's at the meetings (usually just the project representatives and their backers) and say "Hey, everyone who really cares is here @10am on Thursday. Nobody local is here to oppose? APROVED!... (I hope they name one of the cooling towers after me)...."
Gulf of America
Well-known member
I think it's less about the jobs than it is about the project profit and company taxes all going to some other city/state where the contractor is based.
