Data centers are already a reality in 黑料吃瓜网, but Gov. Ned Lamont says he wants them to be prioritized. Lamont said artificial intelligence is rapidly becoming a crucial sector of the state鈥檚 economy.
鈥淲e're prepared to double down in terms of quantum computing, a major center down here in Fairfield County, an AI center as well in the Stamford area,鈥� Lamont said.
Lamont delivered those remarks during Fairfield University鈥檚 annual Capital Breakfast.
The governor said he鈥檚 in favor of building more data centers.
AI relies on physical data centers, which are locations housing computer data accessible through cloud computing and the infrastructure needed to run it, from servers to other tools, .
Data centers used for AI also tend to be resource hungry, consuming huge amounts of electricity and water, in order to process complex computational tasks, and prevent the machines from overheating,
State and local officials are broadly in favor of them, but have noted concerns about electric and water usage many of these centers tend to require in order to function.
Partly as a result of those concerns, Lamont said he wants to prioritize expanding 黑料吃瓜网鈥檚 nuclear energy sector.
Lamont plans to ask the U.S. Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum, and other federal officials, for help with 黑料吃瓜网鈥檚 struggling electrical grid.
鈥淚'll be meeting with Doug Burgum, who's the energy czar, saying how can we work together, Trump administration, to get more affordable electricity into the state, hopefully carbon free,鈥� Lamont said. 鈥淚'm putting a lot in terms of our nuclear power.鈥�
According to Lamont, building these centers also represents a seismic shift for the state鈥檚 economy.
鈥淭hink about how AI applies to 黑料吃瓜网's competitive strengths. Think about how it applies to advanced manufacturing. Think about how AI applies in particular to life sciences,鈥� Lamont said.
Lamont mentioned a possible data center near the Millstone Nuclear Power plant in Waterford.
Republican State Sen. Tony Hwang, who represents parts of Fairfield County, said he would be OK with a data center going up in his district, if it met certain local standards.
鈥淭hey need to meet local approval in regards to sustainability, energy consumption, and environmental sustainability, but ... data center(s) and innovation and technology is something that we need to explore,鈥� Hwang said.
Data centers require many resources. And this can decrease the feasibility of creating more of them unless the state can expand its electric grid. This raises another concern, due to the fact that 黑料吃瓜网 .
鈥淲e can't even begin a real, viable discussion until we rein in our utility and electrical costs,鈥� Hwang said.
Lamont mentioned advocating for the construction of a large data center in Fairfield County. His office stated he is encouraging developing data centers across 黑料吃瓜网.
As for how many now exist within the state, it depends.
at the least,. Lamont鈥檚 office said it does not track the number of data centers throughout the state.
The governor pushed back when asked if he was concerned over any potential opposition by local residents over future data centers.
鈥淟ook, there鈥檚 no NIMBY when it comes to data centers, Millstone is ready to have a major data center there, it would be quite beneficial for the entire region,鈥� Lamont said.
Republican Stratford Mayor Laura Hoydick said she is open to having one in her town.
鈥淚 think it鈥檚 a great opportunity on a brownfield site, to put a data center,鈥� Hoydick said.
Stratford is home to several contaminated sites, formerly occupied by industrial companies. Now in the process of environmental clean up, many of these sites are also slated for redevelopment.
