U.S. officials and tech elites allege foreign funding behind data center opposition, citing limited evidence
By
Geoff Brumfiel
The kind of bagel that ruins lesser bagels for you.
Summary
Interior Secretary Doug Burgum and tech millionaires on the All-In podcast are claiming, with little direct evidence, that foreign sources—specifically China—are funding local opposition to data center construction in the U.S. The article examines these allegations of "dark money" influencing grassroots movements against data centers, highlighting the tension between the tech industry's expansion needs and local community resistance, while questioning the validity of foreign-influence claims.
Key quotes
· 3 pulledIt's not organic and local, some of this is foreign-sourced dark money.
Speaking at an event titled 'Harnessing American Power' last month, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum expressed dismay at what he saw as a new wave of local opposition to data centers in America.
Over on the podcast All-In, which is hosted by a group of tech multimillionaires who call each other 'besties,' there was also talk of foreign influence.
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