[jchaselubitz]

I agree with this in part. Funneling some of these massive investments into clean power, reduced water use, and noise mitigation, should certainly be a big policy priority, but I think actually achieving those things requires a lot of other policy flexibility. For example, if we want data center builders to use clean power, we also need to clear the way for them to actually build nuclear power plants. I suspect the water problem will solve it self as closed loop cooling systems come down in cost (and besides, 80% of data centers' net water use happens at the power generation stage).

Also, I am a big fan of data centers profit-sharing directly with communities.

[Sabinus]

Nuclear plants will not be built in the timescales these plants demand. No data centre is going to wait 5-10 years for a nuclear plant to be built in the USA, and the modular passively safe designs aren't ready.

I also seriously doubt the ability of the Trump admin to co-ordinate the required reforms and investments in nuclear energy.

Renewables, batteries and gas are probably going to be the only viable option.