My Position on Data Center Development In Louisville

As Metro Council considers a moratorium on new data center applications and new regulations that would govern these facilities in our Land Development Code, I took my time to voice my concerns to the Planning and Zoning Commission at a recent public comment meeting. You can watch my full comments here.

Following that meeting, the team at No Data Center 502 sent a candidate questionnaire about officials' positions on data center development in Jefferson County. Below are my full, unedited responses to their questions. In times of flailing transparency, I think it is vital that those seeking or holding public office are honest with voters about where they stand on issues that impact our communities. Please take a read and reach out if you have questions for me.

Do you oppose the proposed data center being built by Poe Companies on Camp Ground Road near Rubbertown? Yes (Oppose)

Please provide additional comments or explanation regarding your position.

The decision to place a hyper scale data center in this area continues the city's pattern of environmental degradation in an area of town that has already suffered decades of pollution and makes things even more dangerous for residents. The excuse of "we've always had the highest level of industrialization in this area so we might as well keep it 'over there'" further disenfranchises members of our community. It is a continuation of Louisville's classist and racist history when it comes to treating certain portions of the city/county differently than others.

Which of the following best describes your position on hyper scale/AI data centers in Jefferson County? Allow hyper scale data centers in limited areas with robust community input

Please provide additional comments or explanation regarding your position.

As the Vice Chair of the Board of the Kentucky Resources Council, I am supportive of Metro Government adopting the Kentucky Resources Council's drafted ordinance to properly address any proposed construction of data centers to appropriately assess their potential impact on people, the environment and energy rates.  

I am supportive of a one-year moratorium on any new hyper scale/AI data center construction until Metro Council can get the regulations right.

What is your vision for environmental justice in your district and Louisville Metro? How would you improve air and water quality, reduce the urban heat island, hold Industry accountable, and improve access to green space?

First, we cannot achieve environmental justice with a 9-15 year age gap depending on where you live in the county. We must start by ending the disproportionate environmental degradation and disinvestment happening in West and South Louisville.

Louisville Metro Government has a 100% Renewable Energy mandate legally in place to achieve by the year 2040. Meeting that goal is vital to mitigating the growing  impacts of climate change. We can do it, but it takes investment.  Building infrastructure to better connect our neighborhoods beyond single passenger vehicles. We need safer streets, sidewalks and bike paths to allow people to move between over neighborhoods and access our parks system. We must FUND TARC. We need to plant trees and bury power lines. We can do it. We just need elected officials to prioritize it.

How do you propose Louisville Metro ensure that LG&E and MSD bills are affordable for all of its residents? Rate increases need to be thoroughly vetted and justified by utilities. Metro Government controls MSD/Louisville Water rates. When rate increases are proposed, we need Council Members to follow the money, determine what is behind each request, and consider how it will impact the public.

Alternatively, the Public Service Commission, a state-level appointed commission, sets the rules and rates for LG&E and all utilities across the Commonwealth. Advocating with KRC and the joint intervenors to the PSC in rate increase cases is the first tangible step Metro can take to address affordability. Pushing for increased investment in renewable energy and giving money back to those who a generating clean energy should bring rates down across the board as well. Electric cooperatives, who are customer owned and have boards of elected representatives, are common across the state and I think we should consider how and if this model can be applied to Louisville vs. the current out of state ownership.

How do you propose Louisville metro close the JCPS &TARC budget deficits and increase permanent high paying local jobs without expanding hyperscale/AI data centers?

Louisville has an annual budget of around $1.1 billion. There is no Metro budget line item to TARC. Our public transportation system is funded entirely by federal grants (which are being decimated by the Trump admin) and an occupational tax. Metro Government's annual budget must consistently allocate funds to TARC and other important projects that support people living in our community today. There are efficiencies that can be gained by being actively engaged in the budget process. Also, AI Data Centers do not create lasting full-time jobs. Their "selling point" of creating jobs and being an "economic driver" is false.  

Louisville is considering policies that could encourage large data center developments while continuing to increase LMPD's budget to over $1 billion, whilst spending separate money on technologies like Flock surveillance cameras.What role do you think Metro government should play in setting these priorities?

The entire reason for Metro Government's existence is to set the agenda for how the citizens' tax dollars should be spent and services delivered. Many citizens do not want data centers and are very concerned about the pattern of LMPD's spendings coupled with increased surveillance on tax payers dime. If elected to serve, I will demand transparency about how our budget dollars are being spent, particularly within LMPD and the justice system as a whole. This transparency includes what, if any information, is being fed into mass surveillance systems like Flock. Metro Council members are elected to represent the people and I pledge to do just that.  

Candidate Statement - Please provide any additional comments regarding your stance on the hyperscale data center being built on Camp Ground Road.

My statement on the Camp Ground Road facility is above, but I just want to use this space to express my gratitude for being able to express my views on this vitally important topic and to No Data Center 502 for continuing to demand transparency from both candidates and elected officials.