The Hill Discovers High Utility Bills Exist (Just Not Why)
While The Hill correctly points fingers at tech giants consuming vast amounts of electricity—and sticking ratepayers with the bill for infrastructure upgrades—it omits the grand tradition of corporate subsidies. From 'tax incentives' for massive factories to direct government contracts, American taxpayers routinely underwrite corporate profits, often without a direct say. This isn't just about AI;
it's the standard operating procedure for funneling public wealth into private hands, frequently disguised as 'economic development.' One might wonder why The Hill shines a light on some corporate handouts but conveniently dims it for others. Perhaps they're just getting warmed up, or perhaps it's easier to criticize data centers than the systemic corporate capture of public funds that extends
into every sector, including those with substantial lobbying footprints. After all, if cash-strapped Americans shouldn't fund data centers, how about endless wars or corporate tax cuts? (Just asking for a friend.)