The AI Center Controversy Has Made It to San Diego County

Hey guys, it is Ryan. For years, Chumba's been set in the bar for online social casino fun, and it just keeps getting better. With new games released every week and daily bonuses to collect, the fun never stops. So claim your welcome bonus now at chumba casino.com. No purchase necessary. VGW. We're prohibited by law. See terms and conditions 21 plus. A city in San Diego County has joined other cities around the country that want to ban those huge AI data centers. Last week, the Poway City Council voted unanimously to draft an ordinance. to block data centers from being developed in the city. On the Kogo News Live line is the mayor of Poway. Steve Boss, joining us on the San Diego Morning News. Thank you so much for joining us, Steve. Oh, you bet. Thanks for having me. All right, Mr. Mayor. So what led to this? Was there some sort of AI data center proposal for Poway? You know, you know, we're watching the landscape. And frankly, the same way we, before we see flames come over the hill from a wildfire, we plan for that. And we plan our land use with an eye for the future as well. And this just seemed a logical step. We love welcoming innovative businesses that strengthen the community and create jobs. But let us still stand-alone AI data centers put there. match it thirst for water and power and the noise they generate. They're just not the right fit for our city. Have you been hearing from people who live in this city about what they think? This is probably the most popular thing we've proposed since the statue that we created for our hometown hero, Tony Wynn. Wow. First off, I didn't know Tony Gwyn was from there. That's great. AI data centers, though, also can bring jobs to an area. And the power is not necessarily generated from Poway itself. Isn't it from SDG&E? Well, number one, the jobs they create are very temporary when they're constructed, and then all those people go away and build a purpose-built AI data center somewhere else. We want long-term jobs, and we want businesses that strengthen the community. The power, we've seen nationwide AI data centers have caused utility rates to increase, water use to increase, and it's just not a good fit for Jerome Powell. It's a land use decision, nothing more, nothing less. We're talking to the mayor of Poway, Steve Boss. Here's the question. You know, a lot of cities are saying, no, we don't want you. Where do you think that they should put these big AI centers? I've read where somebody posed that question to AI itself and it said far from people.

And I would have to agree with that. I'm sure they will find a technology will likely change and they'll find places that are more suitable. All we're saying is it's not Poway. Some mayors talk about, well, we'll take the revenue and all that stuff. To us, some things are worth more than money. In Poway, our community character is one of them. How about like Oklahoma or Nevada or somewhere hot and desolate with nothing but dirt? Exactly. I know we joke, but do you anticipate other cities taking following suit with Palais stance? Well, you know, I was frankly surprised that we're the first one of the county, only the second one in the state to make such a move. But, you know, our focus is purely how we didn't become one of California's most desirable communities by chasing every new use that comes knocking. You've got to know when to say no. And this was one of those signs for us. Yeah, this is a similar argument against prisons. You know, I remember when everybody was fighting against having prisons located. It'll be interesting to see what happens if other cities fall suit. Mayor, we thank you so much for joining us today. Thank you, Mayor. Thanks for having me. All right, Mayor of Poway, Steve Boss. Hey, this is Ryan Sechrest here, and I have discovered a fun to escape from the daily grind, Chumba Casino. Chumba Casino has hundreds of social casino style games. It's all free to play anytime, anywhere, with daily bonuses. So get to chumbacasino.com. No purchase necessary. VGW group. Boy, we're prohibited by loss. See terms and conditions, 21 plus. Got plans this summer? A brewery crawl? Another lake trip? The same festival you've been to three times already? Do something different. This August, Virginia International Raceway becomes the ultimate summer destination. Watch Inns' Michelin GT Challenge at VIR. August 21 through 23rd brings some of the fastest sports cars to battle through VIR's legendary corners. Camp with friends. Enjoy live music and experience a weekend you'll actually be talking about afterward. Start planning now at govir.net.