The noise being generated by fear-mongering politicians (with amplification by the media) needs clarification and solutions to the issue associated with data centers. It’s interesting that a 1-million-square-foot Amazon distribution warehouse has potentially a greater cumulative impact on a local community than a data center.
Consider that tractor-trailers arrive 24/7, as do employees, plus there are significant electrical and water requirements, housing and retail needs. A distribution center gets people their “stuff” the same day or the next, while a data center is the backbone of the future.
Two of the primary data center concerns are electrical/power requirements for each data center to include impacts to the grid and the customer’s individual
cost, as well as water requirements.
Electrical options are numerous, including small modular reactors (a type of nuclear fission reactor), microreactors, large battery systems, turbines and more. These electrical solutions would be at the expense of the data center developer with or without a local energy partner.
Reduced water impacts are achievable through closed-loop water cooling systems, advanced air-cooled chillers, liquid cooling and water-free cooling systems. As an aside, an 18-hole PGA golf course will use six times the water requirement of a 1-million-square-foot data center.
These are potential solutions but most politicians (sometimes known as governor, senator or congressman) don’t know how to or want to solve problems. Again, this inability is also amplified by the news media. States need to require developers to implement solutions to minimize impacts to the communities as well as electrical and water as part of the permitting process.
Data centers are part of change, which needs to be embraced. Without change Henry Ford would not have developed the assembly line, phones and switchboard operators wouldn’t have been replaced by wireless network providers, etc.
The only constant in today’s world is change, and the only element of change that is constant is learning.
Lanny Felders, Jacksonville
Stupid Hope Florida scandal simply stinks
Einstein reportedly once said “Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I’m not sure about the former.” So, here is a question for Gov. Ron DeSantis and state Attorney General James Uthmeier: Exactly how stupid do you think the people of Florida are?
You steal $10 million from children who need it, funnel it into a political action committee, and “… nobody did anything wrong here ...” That does not pass the smell test, fellas. The grand jury didn’t find probable cause to charge anyone with a crime, but that does not mean a crime was not committed.
It simply means that you have become so adept at sleight of hand and subterfuge that no one person can be held accountable.
Lies and deception are nothing new to our governor. Look at how he took control of the information coming out of the Florida Department of Health during COVID. This was done to minimize the appearance that his policies were helping the disease spread, costing thousands of unnecessary deaths.
If something bad happens in any organization, responsibility goes to the highest-ranking manager where the incident occurred — ultimately, that means the CEO. Republicans and their billionaire backers want to run the government like a business, but don’t want to take responsibility for their actions.
DeSantis and his minions have been in complete control of this state for the last eight years. To think that this happened under his watch without his knowledge and direction is, well, stupid. We deserve better than this from our elected leaders. We deserve accountability and we deserve the truth.
Mike Lawrence, Avondale
Rutherford must reject Trump’s trade war
Rep. John Rutherford is an integral part of the United States government, as one of the viable checks and balances on the other branches of the government. So, I must respectfully inquire what he plans to do about reining in the absurd trade war with our Canadian neighbors.
Trade between the U.S. and Canada is vital to the economies of both countries and cannot be subject to the whims of President Donald Trump. This petulant man-child apparently has a grudge against Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, who embarrassed Trump on the world stage for challenging his macho attempts to exert his influence and importance on world economies.
I believe it is time for Rutherford and fellow Republicans to find their spines, to stand up and exert their legislative powers to restore sanity to world trade affairs.
I am quite sure he and his staff are aware of the “blue wave” that is sweeping across the U.S. to remove legislators who condone and accept the delusional actions of the current administration.
The November 2026 elections are looming and the American public is looking for leaders who will remember their oath of office, as well as a commitment to be checks and balances on the other branches of government.
In addition, I would suggest that Rutherford hold a town hall meeting. He needs to explain his positions and obvious support of Trump, as evidenced by the deluge of recent TV spots.
It is time for him to come out of hiding and address his constituents.
Edward F. Warren, Ponte Vedra
Some students still sweltering
In November, Duval County residents have the option to extend for four more years the half-cent tax approved in 2022 to supplement school funding. While it might seem premature to be thinking about it now, a recent email from Duval County Public Schools brought it to my mind.
School started on Aug. 10, but more than 10 days later some schools are struggling with no air conditioning in mid- to high- 90-degree temperatures. The schools began operating and monitoring HVAC systems two weeks before students returned and is making every effort for the cooling systems to work in all.
As we've been reminded, Duval schools are among the oldest in Florida and some need more than just a little adjusting here and there.
The original half-cent tax was used for many school improvements, as well as for teacher salaries. We can all be proud of Duval's "A" grade from the state for two years running. However, the need is ongoing for an extension — not a new tax — when we vote in November.
I'd also like to note that my grandson has started his school year with three substitute teachers at his "A"-rated high school. One would hope that wouldn't be happening if Florida paid teachers what they deserve instead of simply bragging, when data shows otherwise.
In addition to approving an extension of the half-cent tax in November, let's also be sure to vote for candidates who truly support public schools, which are still attended by most students in Florida.
Rhoda T. London, retired educator, Jacksonville
We need more like Dolly
Among the multitude of reasons Dolly Parton will be greatly missed is the fact that she was one of very few remaining superstars with truly bipartisan appeal. She once told a podcast host, “I don’t do politics. I have too many fans on both sides of the fence.”
Parton had strong convictions — she was privately supportive of LGBTQ rights — but respected her fans enough not to bash or vilify those who disagreed with her.
As silly as they can be, celebrities help maintain our social fabric. Americans don’t have a royal family; celebrities are our royals. They don’t just entertain us, make us laugh or dazzle us on the court. They are part of what unites us around a shared American culture and identity.
However, social media has conditioned us to expect (and even demand) that celebrities weigh in on every issue of the day. Urging Taylor Swift to take a stand on Israel and Palestine is absurd. What, besides her 273 million Instagram followers, makes her qualified to opine on the Middle East?
America no longer produces many universally beloved celebrities like Parton, and our frayed social fabric is indicative of that. We could really use more stars like her.
Fabrizio Gowdy, Jacksonville
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This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Why Florida's fuss over data centers is misplaced | Letters
