data centers

Data centers used to fuel AI are popping up all over the U.S., and they're becoming a midterm issue for voters that's now drawing White House attention. Even Republican Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri has pushed for more regulation.

The Unified Government and the BPU are in discussions with three proposed data center projects code-named Project Red Wolf, Project Yardbird and Project Linda. Officials insist the projects won’t increase utility bills for other ratepayers, but similar promises elsewhere have been proven false.

The zoning change is the first regulation on where data centers can be built in the city. Advocates see it as the first step in limiting the AI data center boom.

A data center in the Crossroads is one of the first in the country to get a loan for clean energy. Plus: Scientists across the central U.S. say they have experienced a year of change and uncertainty under the second Trump administration.

A data center in the Crossroads is using the clean energy loan for its chilling equipment. Supporters hope that the loans will encourage the projects to be more environmentally friendly. Critics want the city to do more to regulate the developments.

Last week, Deep Fission broke ground on a pilot program to bury small modular reactors underground in Parsons, Kansas. This project is the first of its kind in the United States, and comes as part of the Trump Administration’s effort to advance the nation’s nuclear power.

After residents in St. Charles protested a secretive data center proposal, developer CRG is eyeing Festus, Missouri, as a site for future sites. It's not clear what tax incentives or exemptions the data centers could receive, would would lessen their economic benefit.

Regulators are trying to protect residential customers from high rates while still attracting large energy users, like data centers, to the state.

The 1.8 million square foot "hyperscale" data center would be the largest development in Wyandotte County's history. But residents and an environmental group voiced concerns about government transparency, location and environmental costs.

Tech companies have been building more data centers around Kansas City, spurred by the increased need for artificial intelligence. But residents are worried about the environmental impact, higher utility bills, and the long-term consequences for communities.

U.S. Sen Josh Hawley's skepticism of data centers puts him at odds with some prominent Missouri Republicans, including Gov. Mike Kehoe.

More than 40,000 workers in Kansas City work in the 10 largest occupations most susceptible to AI automation — especially customer service and white-collar jobs.