AI is spurring a big expansion of high-voltage power lines. Landowners and locals are fighting back

[dalton99a]

https://apnews.com/article/ai-trump-energy-transmission-lines-f1c6b1251054d2a7e193297e4111b8d1

AI is spurring a big expansion of high-voltage power lines. Landowners and locals are fighting back
By MARC LEVY
Updated 11:14 PM CDT, March 7, 2026

SUGARLOAF, Pa. (AP) — For John Zola, the 40 acres were like a paradise: apple orchards tucked into northern Pennsylvania’s rolling hills, a barn, meadows and more than enough land for four houses: one for himself and his wife and each of his three adult children.

It’s been “hell,” however, since a contractor hired by the local power utility knocked on Zola’s door in late 2024 and informed him that it planned to build a 500-kilovolt power line through his property.

The 240-foot metal towers would reach 10 times as high as the century-old apple trees they’d plow through and loom over the Zolas’ homes and the basketball court and swimming pool where his grandchildren play.

This line and others like it are being planned in accelerating numbers in the United States to deliver power, sometimes across hundreds of miles, to enormous data centers run by the world’s biggest tech companies.

...

[RainCaster]

1. Let them build nukes on site

The need to create their own power on site. And their own water as well.

[indusurb]

2. Oh hell no

Do you trust Musk, Bezos, Altman or any of the others to build and operate a nuke plant that's anywhere near safe? I certainly don't.

[RainCaster]

3. ...and that brings out the next idea

These assholes have no business running nuclear power plants.

So how do you like AI? It took your jobs, doubled your electric bill, made water scarce and it still can't tell an honest story.