Beshear Sets Kentucky Data Center Rules After $100 Billion Federal Hub Plan Sidelines Him
Updated
Updated · POLITICO · Aug 13
Beshear Sets Kentucky Data Center Rules After $100 Billion Federal Hub Plan Sidelines Him
3 articles · Updated · POLITICO · Aug 13
Summary
$100 billion plans for a Paducah data center and energy hub prompted Gov. Andy Beshear to say the Trump administration and project backers never briefed him on its scale, power needs or environmental design before the July 29 rollout.
Beshear responded last week with an executive order requiring data centers to avoid harming air and water quality and directing regulators to prevent utilities from passing project-related power costs to Kentucky ratepayers.
The proposed 3,500-acre Department of Energy campus would use on-site gas generation and batteries to supply electricity roughly equal to 2 million to 3 million homes, intensifying local concern over prices, water use and contamination at the former uranium site.
DOE said it notified the governor's office in advance under standard practice, while the Brookfield-NextEra-led consortium said it has since reached out and remains committed to working with state and local stakeholders.
The clash reflects a broader Democratic balancing act as governors court AI investment but face rising backlash over data centers' strain on grids, communities and the environment.