The last two months, I’ve shared the growth we’re seeing across our communities. This month, I want to touch on another type of growth you may be hearing about: data centers.

In simple terms, a data center is a large facility full of computers that run 24/7 to power the internet, apps, and digital services we use every day. As demand for technology, especially artificial intelligence, continues to grow, so does interest in building more of these facilities.

Data centers bring both opportunity and concern. They can support economic growth and modern technology, but they also require significant electricity and infrastructure.

SO WHERE DOES THAT LEAVE CLARK COUNTY REMC?

By law, we do not get to decide which businesses locate in our service area. If a data center or any large user comes here and there is sufficient power available, we are obligated to serve them. Decisions about whether a business locates in a community are made by local governments and community leaders, not the electric cooperative.

WHAT WE CAN CONTROL IS HOW THAT SERVICE IS PROVIDED

Our responsibility is to protect our members by ensuring that large users pay their fair share. That means the data center, not our residential members or small businesses, covers the cost of the power it needs, along with any required upgrades like new lines, substations, or engineering work. Even the planning and staff time associated with these projects is paid for by the company requesting service.

In short, data centers represent a significant opportunity, but one that requires careful management.

As always, our focus remains the same: providing reliable service while protecting our members from unfair costs, today and into the future.