The rapid expansion of artificial intelligence data centers into rural communities is drawing growing attention from farm organizations concerned about energy use, water consumption, and public transparency. The issue surfaced during the recent annual convention of National Farmers Union in New Orleans, where delegates discussed how the surge in large-scale technology infrastructure could affect rural utilities, natural resources, and local governance.
Darrin Von Ruden, president of the Wisconsin Farmers Union, said the organization spent considerable time debating how artificial intelligence data centers could reshape rural power systems and utility costs.
“We spent a lot of time on AI tech centers and really trying to figure out some language, number one, because of how fast they’re coming on board, and looking at what’s going on, a couple of states wanted to see that they needed to provide their own power,” said Von Ruden. “And after quite a bit of discussion, you know, looking at how that could impact other states. The thought was that they would make every consumer’s electric bill go up. But in reality, if they have their own system and get off the grid, that could actually cause more price spikes for the average consumer, because the electric companies’ utilities are really wanting to see that power going through their lines, and all of a sudden, it isn’t. Water is a big issue for AI tech centers, too.”…