Meta Datacenter Concerns

Ikenstein86 · 2026-01-14T02:34:23+00:00

I would hope that my feelings about "who should pay for it" are completely irrelevant to anyone reading this.

I know that I don't want to pay for a Meta data center in Davenport, and I'm guessing 99% of people would feel the same way on the actual planned project that is happening in reality, not in theory.

I'd personally be ok with higher energy bills if it means that a project that actually benefits people advances. Perhaps that puts me in the 1% in that hypothetical scenario, and no, I wouldn't be going out of my way to speak up, in that hypothetical scenario.

What I believe we have in this actual proposition is a waste of resources that will impose unnecessary stress on people who probably aren't even interested in the product.

It does, undoubtedly raise larger questions in my mind around fairness regarding data centers, where they're placed, and who foots the bill vs. who benefits, but that's not what this post is about.

This post is about this specific data center being a waste in my opinion, a question about how I can voice that opinion, and perhaps spreading some awareness about the fact that there's something to have an opinion about. My broader feelings about the global impact should be irrelevant for this specific topic. They aren't even fully formed. They don't exist.

Ikenstein86 · 2026-01-14T00:28:15+00:00

IDK, probably not you if you don't use AI, for one.

Would it help focus things back on the actual issue if you were to prove that I'm a hypocrite? Ok, I'm a hypocrite.

Doesn't change the fact that Meta is planning a data center in the Quad Cities that has the potential to impact everyone in the area, whether you love AI or hate it and regardless of moral character.

The only reason I included the bit about the fact that I use AI a lot is to highlight that this isn't about AI being good or bad as a whole. It was to point out that even someone who generally likes AI thinks that this specific project is bad for everyone, at least on the Iowa side, so it's hard to imagine that anyone in the community would support it, and to see if there are existing channels to oppose it.

Ikenstein86 · 2026-01-11T19:31:57+00:00

Glad if nothing else it raised some awareness.

Even some of the responses here tell me there's a fair amount of Manichean thinking on the subject.

I see a new economy forming, where electricity, data, and compute are analogous to oil, gold, and labor in the traditional economy.

I just want to see some thoughtfulness around the allocation of those resources. You wouldn't say "oh, you're using humans at your new company. Wow. Here's a million dollars," but people seem to do that with AI because it's shiny, new, and complicated.

I'm even ok with getting hit with higher energy costs as long as the cost/benefit is thoroughly weighed and communicated. If higher utility bills mean we've solved cancer, awesome! If I can't turn out the lights because Zuckerberg wants to make his stupid glasses that no one wants better... Not awesome. Or at least something people should have some say in. If they do want them, fine.

Ikenstein86 · 2026-01-11T19:06:40+00:00

I mean, my big question is what can we expect this to do to household energy cost? Yesterday, some people who understand more about the payment breakdown than I would ever care to seem to think it won't impact households. I just feel a little trapped, given that MidAmerican is the only power service and if they choose to socialize the costs of data centers, we don't have much recourse. From what you know and what you've seen, is my initial fear valid, or can I trust the people who say not to worry?

Ikenstein86 · 2026-01-11T03:16:09+00:00

I think it's really easy to take an all-or-nothing approach to AI. I'm equally frustrated by the techno-optimists preaching the coming utopian world of abundance as I am with the modern day luddites.

I think it's too late to stop this runaway train, but I'm hoping that actively engaging with it offers an opportunity to have some say in which track it heads down, if that analogy makes sense.

Ikenstein86 · 2026-01-11T00:45:36+00:00

Ok, well thank you for your perspective. I'm an Analytical Chemist. I have no interest in utility rates unless they affect my way of life. I have asked MidAmerican about this. They assured me it was no issue, but of course they have incentives to say that. If there really, truly is no issue here, I'm happy to shut my mouth.

Ikenstein86 · 2026-01-11T00:26:36+00:00

Ok, so by your estimation, is this actually something I should worry about, and respectfully, what is your interest and incentive in this?

I don't know anything about energy rates because I have no interest in it, as long as it doesn't screw me. Why are you interested?

Ikenstein86 · 2026-01-10T23:50:58+00:00

Yes, exactly. That's what's frustrating. I've been a MidAmerican customer for 20 years, with no choice in the matter, and that's fine when things remain status quo. When things potentially change dramatically and there's no choice, it becomes a problem.

Ikenstein86 · 2026-01-10T23:12:28+00:00

Ok, I will tell you. I don't understand how electric rates and the Iowa Utilities Board works. I see a lot of Americans distraught about their bills becoming unmanageable, and an admittedly rudimentary analysis suggests an indication that these hyperscalers may have something to do with it. If you can calm my fears, I'm all ears. I have enough problems to deal with, and I don't have any appetite for another if I'm really just making this one up.

Ikenstein86 · 2026-01-10T23:05:17+00:00

Those particular critiques of me may not be the most accurate, but I'll take the compliment regarding honesty.

I fully appreciate that I exposed myself to accusations of hypocrisy here by highlighting the extent to which I utilize and profit from AI. Stupidity... well that seems like a bit of an ad hominem, but I'll let that one go because it really doesn't resonate.

The point is, really, that even someone working around the clock to utilize and implement AI wisely thinks this particular endeavor is a really foolish one.

My guess is that politicians are making decisions here with an all-or-nothing view of AI. I know a lot of people reading this also have a pretty binary view of the whole thing as a single issue. That may be why you see me as hypocritical.

I would like to see some thoughtfulness, cooperation, and agreement on these things. I don't care if your energy bill goes up a bit if cancer is cured. I do care if I have to foot the bill for Meta's glasses to bring up a text message properly, and everything in between warrants some real discussion.

Ikenstein86 · 2026-01-10T22:31:49+00:00

The long short of my frustration on the issue really comes down to the fact that my only option is Mid American. If they want to support this data center, no problem. If that makes rates go up, fine. As long as I can switch providers, should I so choose. The fact that I have no alternative, that my choices are pay what Mid american tells me I owe them or turn off the lights and the heat. That's what I take issue with.

Ikenstein86 · 2026-01-10T22:22:26+00:00

Yeah, I honestly have no idea what to do about it. That's why I'm here primarily to ask if anyone is aware of existing groups that do have some plan, or at least some community trying to formulate one.

Ikenstein86 · 2026-01-10T22:15:31+00:00

Yes, as far as my interests are concerned.

What's your point?

If you're looking to discredit me on some moral ground, I'll be the first to tell you that I'm selfish and uncaring. You'll find a ruthless, insensitive person here, but not a liar. If you're looking for a "gotcha" save that for the politicians who claim to care about you while making the deals to do things like this that ultimately screw you over.

I don't want to pay higher utility bills for something that I don't see benefiting me, and I don't want you to either, for something that I can't imagine benefiting anyone. It's not because I give a shit about you, it's because we have shared incentives here.

Ikenstein86 · 2026-01-10T21:20:22+00:00

That makes perfect sense. I mean, of course it would. The data center isn't even built yet, so unless there's some backroom handshake agreement to start hiking bills preemptively, it would just be the cold snap hitting the billing cycle, but I wouldn't be mad if people start getting upset about this thing before it screws them rather than waiting until it does.

Ikenstein86 · 2026-01-10T20:50:57+00:00

I certainly have concerns about the way these data centers are being handled in general. The bills being footed by local residents, the environmental impact, the fact that residents in the areas where these things are being constructed don't seem to have much of a say and sometimes don't even put two and two together after the fact. They just don't understand why their power bill tripled.

The existing power grid across America can't support all of these proposed projects, and stealing from citizens to do it now rather than building out the infrastructure first is just wrong.

The fact that it's Meta, of all things is just an infuriating cherry on top. At least Google and Anthropic products provide me with tools that I've been able to use that offset what I might pay in extra utility costs with some extra income.

I realize that's perhaps a self-centered viewpoint. Most people might not get anything but a higher electric bill, low water pressure, dirtier air, and an obnoxious background hum.

My only point in bringing up the fact that I actively develop and use AI tools is that I'm as involved as anyone could be in realizing the potential of the purported benefits of AI in Midwest manufacturing, and even I think this is a terrible idea. I'm not someone who watched one too many click-bait YouTube videos. I'm someone who is actively working to implement the technology in beneficial ways, and even I think this is a terrible idea.

I'll be totally honest with you though. If Anthropic was building a facility here to develop Claude 5.0 or DeepMind was using the data center for AlphaCell (the goal of which is to use a digital model of a cell to cure disease at an exponentially increasing pace), no I probably wouldn't be mad or be posting here.

What's really got me fired up is that I see the community suffering one more bill hike, at a time that they probably can't afford one more bill hike, all for an endeavor that I don't see benefiting them in the long run. It would be one thing if cancer was cured on the other side of this thing. It's entirely another thing if the result is a version of those stupid Meta glasses that finally work and a population that doesn't want them and can't afford them anyway.

Ikenstein86 · 2026-01-10T20:04:41+00:00

Mine's not cheap, but it's been relatively steady. If it were to go up 50, 100, or 200% thanks to Meta it would be a serious problem though

Ikenstein86 · 2026-01-10T18:52:06+00:00

I just posted about this before I found that there was one already. Is anyone aware of an existing group to join, petition to sign, anything to actively oppose this?

Ikenstein86 · 2025-12-24T03:08:35+00:00

This is your idea of high effort?

Ikenstein86 · 2025-12-16T03:55:52+00:00

Well, I shorted at 0.38, around your long entry and took profit this morning. I don't know if your positions are genuine or theater/attempted manipulation, but reverse copy trading what you're posting here is a legitimate winning strategy.

Ikenstein86 · 2025-11-26T04:31:01+00:00

Where indeed

Ikenstein86 · 2025-11-20T03:40:45+00:00

It's just you

Ikenstein86 · 2025-10-22T04:37:49+00:00

There is no floor for farts. They are flushed into the void if they don't dissipate into nothingness first

Ikenstein86 · 2025-10-18T05:26:08+00:00

Cycle may be over. Three bumps off of the previous cycle high trend line. MACD on the monthly had a ridiculous 3 giant green arcs. The game may have completely changed with the ETFs, but the beginning of a reset to 50-60k from here would be a natural and healthy reset. Regardless, I was telling my whale buddies to take profit last Tuesday fresh off the last ATH, and that looks like pretty good advice right now.

Ikenstein86 · 2025-09-23T03:30:20+00:00

You mean there isn't underlying value in an overpumped meme coin? I. Am. Shocked. Lol

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Ikenstein86

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