Congressman Brett Guthrie weighs in on data center debate
BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – As communities across Kentucky consider how to regulate future data center development, U.S. Rep. Brett Guthrie says local governments should protect residents while also recognizing the growing role data centers and artificial intelligence will play in the nation’s future.
Several communities in south-central Kentucky have recently discussed or proposed measures related to data center development as interest in the industry continues to grow.
Guthrie said he supports residents voicing concerns about where large-scale projects are located and how they may affect nearby neighborhoods.
“My first thought is that there’s a good reason to be concerned,” Guthrie said. “I’m glad to hear from citizens who want to make sure zoning laws are correct and that these projects go in the right places without having major impacts on people in the community.”
At the same time, Guthrie said he believes an outright moratorium on data center development could hinder the nation’s ability to compete in artificial intelligence.
“We can’t have a moratorium that would cripple us,” Guthrie said. “We also have to respect local communities and ensure these data centers pay their own way.”
Guthrie said developers should be responsible for covering the costs associated with infrastructure needed to support their facilities rather than shifting those costs to local communities.
The congressman also pointed to what he described as increasing global competition in artificial intelligence, particularly between the United States and China.
“We heard in committee today that China is beginning to take the lead in open AI,” Guthrie said. “If we lose the AI race to China, it would be equivalent to losing the dollar as the world’s reserve currency.”
Guthrie predicted that communities that successfully integrate data centers while addressing residents’ concerns could see long-term economic benefits.
“My prediction is that once people see these projects done responsibly, other communities will begin asking how they can participate as well,” he said.
