Eminent domain was never meant to be for the economic profit of an individual, it was meant for the common good of the community - this is just fucking bullshit
Comment on Georgia homeowners are being forced from their homes to help power AI data centers: "It's theft"
scrubbles@poptalk.scrubbles.tech 2 days ago
Ugh okay I’ll say I’m torn. Put AI aside for just a second, pur grid and transmission lines are HORRIBLY in need of upgrading. Ask any Republican pre AI and they would have parrotted the same thing about EVs being too much for our grid.
So, I’m not happy that it’s because of AI and datacenters. I do see we need to upgrade, and I have been also someone who is actually okay with eminent domain IF and only if the owners get full MARKET value (and I would throw on moving expenses). Of course we know things can be abused but ina just society I would say that if it means a few families moving for a more robust power grid, then I’m okay with it, even if it had to be me.
That being said I feel that I have a nuanced take here and I fully expect to be downvoted to hell.
CIA_chatbot@lemmy.world 2 days ago
kibblebits@quokk.au 2 days ago
Eminent domain wasn’t used though. They just bought the land. The article is sensational.
blarghly@lemmy.world 2 days ago
They threatened eminent domain. This is like the cops offering you a deal instead of going to trial.
CIA_chatbot@lemmy.world 2 days ago
Aww figures
brian@lemmy.ca 2 days ago
market value and moving expenses seems like a no brainer, but it doesn’t go nearly far enough. the value that is created from these properties being requisitioned isn’t really addressed.
a company deciding they want it at market value, would intrinsically increase the market value pretty significantly. and it’s hard to put numbers to it, but if someone were to knock on my door, completely unprompted, I think I would have a hard time packing up and leaving for less than 1.5x market value (plus expenses).
ThisGuyThat@lemmy.world 2 days ago
I can’t see increasing capacity for AI data centers as “just cause”. Silver lining is if that AI collapses; their will be extra capacity to meet EV demands right?.. Right? I’d want at least double if it was a child hood home.
blarghly@lemmy.world 2 days ago
I agree with others that they should get at least 1.5x market value. There is an emotional damage to taking someones belongings that should be accounted for. And also, supposing they use the funds to buy a new home, they will need to get a mortgage still, which now have significantly higher interest rates, increasing their monthly payments.
Pyr_Pressure@lemmy.ca 6 hours ago
Honestly if AI data centres are the reason your electric grid gets upgraded it’s probably worth it. AI bubble will pop and data centres will get closed down but your grid will still be upgraded.
scrubbles@poptalk.scrubbles.tech 3 hours ago
Personally that’s my POV. We need it anyway, regardless of AI.