General Discussion

highplainsdem

(63,649 posts) Wed Jun 17, 2026, 03:48 PM Wednesday

Gavin Newsom's data center gamble

https://www.politico.com/news/2026/06/16/gavin-newsoms-data-center-gamble-00963992

Likely Democratic presidential contenders are bashing the buildout of data centers in the run-up to 2028. With one big exception: Gavin Newsom.

The governor of California — home to the third-most operating data centers of any state — has shot down legislation to require the facilities to disclose water use, and rather than join calls from progressives to block their construction, he has touted the state’s potential to support “critically important digital infrastructure.” It’s a posture that reflects Newsom’s deep ties with Silicon Valley and carefully cultivated pro-innovation brand.

Many in the tech industry, which has often found an ally in Newsom, say his position is helping the state stay ahead in the artificial intelligence race sweeping the globe.

“The response to concerns can’t be indefinite delay or outright obstruction” of data centers, Ahmad Thomas, CEO of the Silicon Valley Leadership Group, told POLITICO. “We’ve been fortunate to have a governor who I believe truly understands our competitive position as the global leader in technology.”

-snip-

CivicGrief

(384 posts)

1. I don't like big business as a panacea.

Reply to highplainsdem (Original post)

Wed Jun 17, 2026, 03:57 PM

Wednesday

Resources are finite, and people need to come first. He won’t get my vote in a primary, for other reasons as well.

diane in sf

(4,266 posts)

2. No thank you. I love the tRump satires. I don't love this.

Reply to highplainsdem (Original post)

Wed Jun 17, 2026, 04:10 PM

Wednesday

Yuck! This is a state with major water issues. Maybe they can use solar panels for power and be sunk in the ocean for cooling. Both of these things being done in other locations. But they are still likely to be used for fascist control of the population. So again, I say no to these things.

If we can’t avoid them: One of the requirements should be that they generate their own power from clean technologies. Which means no nukes, coal, or gas. The other that they not be built where they deplete the water supply.

TommyT139

(2,488 posts)

6. Thank the queer Latina woman who runs Newsom's social media strategy

Reply to diane in sf (Reply #2)

Wed Jun 17, 2026, 05:30 PM

Wednesday

...Camille Zapata, 29 or 30 years old.

What Newsom says or doesn't say, about AI, oligarchs, trans people, and everything else -- that's all on him.

markpkessinger

(8,945 posts)

3. For the life of me . . .

Reply to highplainsdem (Original post)

Wed Jun 17, 2026, 04:10 PM

Wednesday

. . . I cannot understand why a governor of a state that is facing long-term challenges with respect the availability of water would back one of these intensively water-consuming data centers!

Fiendish Thingy

(24,409 posts)

4. One more reason in a growing list

Reply to highplainsdem (Original post)

Wed Jun 17, 2026, 04:47 PM

Wednesday

Of reasons Newsom is a hard NO for me for 2028.

Sympthsical

(11,262 posts)

7. But the tweets!

Reply to Fiendish Thingy (Reply #4)

Wed Jun 17, 2026, 05:38 PM

Wednesday

By all accounts, this isn't going to change after November either. Silicon Valley gets what it wants in California.

Fiendish Thingy

(24,409 posts)

8. Yup, the techbros have already purchased numerous Dem elected officials

Reply to Sympthsical (Reply #7)

Wed Jun 17, 2026, 06:14 PM

Wednesday

At both the state and federal level.

EarthFirst

(4,259 posts)

5. If AI cannot be forthcoming in their resource disclosure...

Reply to highplainsdem (Original post)

Wed Jun 17, 2026, 04:57 PM

Wednesday

…it’s telling me one thing: it’s far worse than it’s being led to believe.

That in and of itself is a hard no for me.

That Newsom is currying favor for AI to deceive the public; also a hard no for me.

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