#energyconsumption — Public Fediverse posts
Live and recent posts from across the Fediverse tagged #energyconsumption, aggregated by home.social.
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#Massachusetts #datacenters need approval before getting a permit following new executive order
by Amal Elhelw, Tue, September 8, 2026
"Gov. #MauraHealey is now putting Massachusetts among a growing number of states taking a closer look at how data centers are built and who gets a say in where they go.
"For years, Massachusetts has promoted itself as a place for the technology industry to grow, including data centers powering the #AIBoom.
"As those projects have gotten bigger, so have the concerns about their impact on #electricity costs, the #environment, and local communities.
"Back in February, Gov. Healey said data centers need to power themselves, pay for it, 'and do it in a way that doesn't harm residents.'
"More than six months later, Healey said she's putting local communities in control.
"On Tuesday, she signed an executive order requiring local approval for new data center infrastructure.
" 'Unless a community says yes to a data center, we're saying no,' Healey said.
"The move comes after the Governor first paused new applications for the state's data center sales tax exemption in June, saying stronger protections were needed.
"That tax break was created by a law Healey signed in 2024, giving qualified data centers a potential 20-year sales tax exemption.
"On Tuesday, Healey addressed that, saying she signed that package but did not include the tax exemption herself.
" 'As I've seen things, I just didn't think that it was right for that sales tax exemption to apply in the midst of what we're dealing with right now, which is a lot of concern across communities in Massachusetts and this country about the impact data centers are having or could have,' Gov. Healey said.
"Tuesday's executive order also requires developers to prove that they're not going to harm the environments or communities where they want to build. They also have to provide their own clean energy on day one, and if they can't, they have to pay ratepayers for the energy they consume until their own supply is in place.
"Republican candidate for Governor, Mike Minogue agrees that Massachusetts is in an energy crisis.
" 'I would always let a local community have input, but in reality, today, we're seeing more override votes than ever before just for operations,' Minogue said. "What I want to do is give more money back to the towns and cities if they will reduce the stretch codes, which destroys the opportunities for many builders and developers.'
"A proposed data center in #WestfieldMA has yet to seek permits from state agencies. Should the project come to the state, the developer would need to present a Community Benefits Agreement and its plans to meet the state's water and energy expectations.
"The state currently has about 50 data centers, meaning Tuesday's announcement could help determine how many more Massachusetts is willing to take on."
Source:
https://www.yahoo.com/news/politics/articles/mass-data-centers-approval-getting-205657908.html#USPol #MassachusettsPol #NoDatacenters #AIDatacenters #NoisePollution #EnergyConsumption
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#Massachusetts #datacenters need approval before getting a permit following new executive order
by Amal Elhelw, Tue, September 8, 2026
"Gov. #MauraHealey is now putting Massachusetts among a growing number of states taking a closer look at how data centers are built and who gets a say in where they go.
"For years, Massachusetts has promoted itself as a place for the technology industry to grow, including data centers powering the #AIBoom.
"As those projects have gotten bigger, so have the concerns about their impact on #electricity costs, the #environment, and local communities.
"Back in February, Gov. Healey said data centers need to power themselves, pay for it, 'and do it in a way that doesn't harm residents.'
"More than six months later, Healey said she's putting local communities in control.
"On Tuesday, she signed an executive order requiring local approval for new data center infrastructure.
" 'Unless a community says yes to a data center, we're saying no,' Healey said.
"The move comes after the Governor first paused new applications for the state's data center sales tax exemption in June, saying stronger protections were needed.
"That tax break was created by a law Healey signed in 2024, giving qualified data centers a potential 20-year sales tax exemption.
"On Tuesday, Healey addressed that, saying she signed that package but did not include the tax exemption herself.
" 'As I've seen things, I just didn't think that it was right for that sales tax exemption to apply in the midst of what we're dealing with right now, which is a lot of concern across communities in Massachusetts and this country about the impact data centers are having or could have,' Gov. Healey said.
"Tuesday's executive order also requires developers to prove that they're not going to harm the environments or communities where they want to build. They also have to provide their own clean energy on day one, and if they can't, they have to pay ratepayers for the energy they consume until their own supply is in place.
"Republican candidate for Governor, Mike Minogue agrees that Massachusetts is in an energy crisis.
" 'I would always let a local community have input, but in reality, today, we're seeing more override votes than ever before just for operations,' Minogue said. "What I want to do is give more money back to the towns and cities if they will reduce the stretch codes, which destroys the opportunities for many builders and developers.'
"A proposed data center in #WestfieldMA has yet to seek permits from state agencies. Should the project come to the state, the developer would need to present a Community Benefits Agreement and its plans to meet the state's water and energy expectations.
"The state currently has about 50 data centers, meaning Tuesday's announcement could help determine how many more Massachusetts is willing to take on."
Source:
https://www.yahoo.com/news/politics/articles/mass-data-centers-approval-getting-205657908.html#USPol #MassachusettsPol #NoDatacenters #AIDatacenters #NoisePollution #EnergyConsumption
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#Massachusetts #datacenters need approval before getting a permit following new executive order
by Amal Elhelw, Tue, September 8, 2026
"Gov. #MauraHealey is now putting Massachusetts among a growing number of states taking a closer look at how data centers are built and who gets a say in where they go.
"For years, Massachusetts has promoted itself as a place for the technology industry to grow, including data centers powering the #AIBoom.
"As those projects have gotten bigger, so have the concerns about their impact on #electricity costs, the #environment, and local communities.
"Back in February, Gov. Healey said data centers need to power themselves, pay for it, 'and do it in a way that doesn't harm residents.'
"More than six months later, Healey said she's putting local communities in control.
"On Tuesday, she signed an executive order requiring local approval for new data center infrastructure.
" 'Unless a community says yes to a data center, we're saying no,' Healey said.
"The move comes after the Governor first paused new applications for the state's data center sales tax exemption in June, saying stronger protections were needed.
"That tax break was created by a law Healey signed in 2024, giving qualified data centers a potential 20-year sales tax exemption.
"On Tuesday, Healey addressed that, saying she signed that package but did not include the tax exemption herself.
" 'As I've seen things, I just didn't think that it was right for that sales tax exemption to apply in the midst of what we're dealing with right now, which is a lot of concern across communities in Massachusetts and this country about the impact data centers are having or could have,' Gov. Healey said.
"Tuesday's executive order also requires developers to prove that they're not going to harm the environments or communities where they want to build. They also have to provide their own clean energy on day one, and if they can't, they have to pay ratepayers for the energy they consume until their own supply is in place.
"Republican candidate for Governor, Mike Minogue agrees that Massachusetts is in an energy crisis.
" 'I would always let a local community have input, but in reality, today, we're seeing more override votes than ever before just for operations,' Minogue said. "What I want to do is give more money back to the towns and cities if they will reduce the stretch codes, which destroys the opportunities for many builders and developers.'
"A proposed data center in #WestfieldMA has yet to seek permits from state agencies. Should the project come to the state, the developer would need to present a Community Benefits Agreement and its plans to meet the state's water and energy expectations.
"The state currently has about 50 data centers, meaning Tuesday's announcement could help determine how many more Massachusetts is willing to take on."
Source:
https://www.yahoo.com/news/politics/articles/mass-data-centers-approval-getting-205657908.html#USPol #MassachusettsPol #NoDatacenters #AIDatacenters #NoisePollution #EnergyConsumption
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#Massachusetts #datacenters need approval before getting a permit following new executive order
by Amal Elhelw, Tue, September 8, 2026
"Gov. #MauraHealey is now putting Massachusetts among a growing number of states taking a closer look at how data centers are built and who gets a say in where they go.
"For years, Massachusetts has promoted itself as a place for the technology industry to grow, including data centers powering the #AIBoom.
"As those projects have gotten bigger, so have the concerns about their impact on #electricity costs, the #environment, and local communities.
"Back in February, Gov. Healey said data centers need to power themselves, pay for it, 'and do it in a way that doesn't harm residents.'
"More than six months later, Healey said she's putting local communities in control.
"On Tuesday, she signed an executive order requiring local approval for new data center infrastructure.
" 'Unless a community says yes to a data center, we're saying no,' Healey said.
"The move comes after the Governor first paused new applications for the state's data center sales tax exemption in June, saying stronger protections were needed.
"That tax break was created by a law Healey signed in 2024, giving qualified data centers a potential 20-year sales tax exemption.
"On Tuesday, Healey addressed that, saying she signed that package but did not include the tax exemption herself.
" 'As I've seen things, I just didn't think that it was right for that sales tax exemption to apply in the midst of what we're dealing with right now, which is a lot of concern across communities in Massachusetts and this country about the impact data centers are having or could have,' Gov. Healey said.
"Tuesday's executive order also requires developers to prove that they're not going to harm the environments or communities where they want to build. They also have to provide their own clean energy on day one, and if they can't, they have to pay ratepayers for the energy they consume until their own supply is in place.
"Republican candidate for Governor, Mike Minogue agrees that Massachusetts is in an energy crisis.
" 'I would always let a local community have input, but in reality, today, we're seeing more override votes than ever before just for operations,' Minogue said. "What I want to do is give more money back to the towns and cities if they will reduce the stretch codes, which destroys the opportunities for many builders and developers.'
"A proposed data center in #WestfieldMA has yet to seek permits from state agencies. Should the project come to the state, the developer would need to present a Community Benefits Agreement and its plans to meet the state's water and energy expectations.
"The state currently has about 50 data centers, meaning Tuesday's announcement could help determine how many more Massachusetts is willing to take on."
Source:
https://www.yahoo.com/news/politics/articles/mass-data-centers-approval-getting-205657908.html#USPol #MassachusettsPol #NoDatacenters #AIDatacenters #NoisePollution #EnergyConsumption
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#Massachusetts #datacenters need approval before getting a permit following new executive order
by Amal Elhelw, Tue, September 8, 2026
"Gov. #MauraHealey is now putting Massachusetts among a growing number of states taking a closer look at how data centers are built and who gets a say in where they go.
"For years, Massachusetts has promoted itself as a place for the technology industry to grow, including data centers powering the #AIBoom.
"As those projects have gotten bigger, so have the concerns about their impact on #electricity costs, the #environment, and local communities.
"Back in February, Gov. Healey said data centers need to power themselves, pay for it, 'and do it in a way that doesn't harm residents.'
"More than six months later, Healey said she's putting local communities in control.
"On Tuesday, she signed an executive order requiring local approval for new data center infrastructure.
" 'Unless a community says yes to a data center, we're saying no,' Healey said.
"The move comes after the Governor first paused new applications for the state's data center sales tax exemption in June, saying stronger protections were needed.
"That tax break was created by a law Healey signed in 2024, giving qualified data centers a potential 20-year sales tax exemption.
"On Tuesday, Healey addressed that, saying she signed that package but did not include the tax exemption herself.
" 'As I've seen things, I just didn't think that it was right for that sales tax exemption to apply in the midst of what we're dealing with right now, which is a lot of concern across communities in Massachusetts and this country about the impact data centers are having or could have,' Gov. Healey said.
"Tuesday's executive order also requires developers to prove that they're not going to harm the environments or communities where they want to build. They also have to provide their own clean energy on day one, and if they can't, they have to pay ratepayers for the energy they consume until their own supply is in place.
"Republican candidate for Governor, Mike Minogue agrees that Massachusetts is in an energy crisis.
" 'I would always let a local community have input, but in reality, today, we're seeing more override votes than ever before just for operations,' Minogue said. "What I want to do is give more money back to the towns and cities if they will reduce the stretch codes, which destroys the opportunities for many builders and developers.'
"A proposed data center in #WestfieldMA has yet to seek permits from state agencies. Should the project come to the state, the developer would need to present a Community Benefits Agreement and its plans to meet the state's water and energy expectations.
"The state currently has about 50 data centers, meaning Tuesday's announcement could help determine how many more Massachusetts is willing to take on."
Source:
https://www.yahoo.com/news/politics/articles/mass-data-centers-approval-getting-205657908.html#USPol #MassachusettsPol #NoDatacenters #AIDatacenters #NoisePollution #EnergyConsumption
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Europe’s energy use for cooling doubled in six years: Which countries use the most?
June 2026 was the hottest June on record for western Europe and the second warmest globally, according to…
#Europe #EU #cooling #Energy #energyconsumption #energydemand #EUcountries #TJ #WesternEurope
https://www.europesays.com/europe/95608/ -
Europe’s energy use for cooling doubled in six years: Which countries use the most?
June 2026 was the hottest June on record for western Europe and the second warmest globally, according to…
#Europe #EU #cooling #Energy #energyconsumption #energydemand #EUcountries #TJ #WesternEurope
https://www.europesays.com/europe/95584/ -
Europe’s energy use for cooling doubled in six years: Which countries use the most?
June 2026 was the hottest June on record for western Europe and the second warmest globally, according to…
#Europe #EU #cooling #Energy #energyconsumption #energydemand #EUcountries #TJ #WesternEurope
https://www.europesays.com/europe/95505/ -
The #EnvironmentalCost of #ArtificialIntelligence: #Carbon, #Water, and #LandFootprints
#AI’s rapid growth drives huge energy, water, and land use, raising environmental and equity challenges across its global infrastructure.
Date Published 3 Jun 2026
UNU-INWEH Report: Aczel, M., Chamanara, S., Matin, M., Farsi, A., Marwala, T., Madani, K. (2026).
"This report, Environmental Cost of Artificial Intelligence: Carbon, Water and Land Footprints, by the #UnitedNationsUniversity Institute for Water, Environment and Health ( #UNU - #INWEH ) on its 30th anniversary, examines one of the most underexplored consequences of AI’s rapid expansion: the environmental footprints of the energy required to power it. As artificial intelligence becomes embedded in economies, public services, research, communication, and everyday life, it depends on a growing physical infrastructure of #datacenters, advanced #chips, #CoolingSystems, #ElectricityGrids, #WaterResources, land, and #CriticalMineral supply chains. The report shows that AI is not only a digital technology, but also a material system with measurable #EnvironmentalCosts.
"The report moves beyond a carbon-only lens by quantifying the carbon, water, and land footprints associated with the electricity used to train, deploy, and operate AI systems at scale. Its central finding is that AI’s environmental costs depend not only on how much electricity is used, but also on where that electricity is generated and which energy sources power it. Every kilowatt-hour used by AI carries carbon, water, and land implications, and these footprints do not always move in the same direction: low-carbon electricity is not automatically low-water or low-land. The report also shows that AI’s footprint is shaped by both major infrastructure trends, including the rapid growth of data centers, and everyday use patterns, including model choice, output length, modality, and the growing use of text, image, and video generation.
"Importantly, the report frames AI’s environmental footprint as a governance and justice challenge, not only a technical problem. The benefits of AI often flow across borders and sectors, while the environmental burdens of data center siting, electricity demand, water withdrawals, #LandUse, MineralExtraction, and #EWaste can be concentrated in specific communities and regions. To address these risks, the report calls for a responsible AI ecosystem grounded in transparency, efficiency by design, equity and #EnvironmentalJustice, lifecycle responsibility, global cooperation, and sustainable use. By making AI’s carbon, water, and land footprints visible and comparable, the report provides a practical basis for integrating AI into energy, climate, water, and land-use planning, ensuring that innovation advances without shifting environmental costs onto vulnerable communities."
Download PDF:
https://unu.edu/inweh/collection/environmental-cost-of-AIs-Enrgy-Use-Carbon-water-and-land-footprints#AIBoom #Electricity #Hyperscale #BigTech #BigData #CarbonFootprint #EnvironmentalRacism #EnvironmentalDegradation #NoisePollution #LightPollution #WaterIsLife #AIAgents #BotTraffic #GreenSpaces #Farmland #Prairies #Woodland #TechGiants #ProtectNature #NoDatacenters #EnergyConsumption #USPol #WorldPol #Datacentres
#DatacenterMoratoriums