Meta Platforms(US:META) Benzinga·2025-12-11 08:51Core Viewpoint - Senator Bernie Sanders criticizes Big Tech's energy consumption, particularly highlighting Meta Platforms Inc.'s planned data center in Louisiana, which could exceed the electricity usage of entire U.S. cities, placing the financial burden on taxpayers [1][2]. Group 1: Energy Consumption Concerns - Meta's Louisiana data center is projected to use three times more electricity than all of New Orleans, raising alarms about the impact on the power grid [2][3]. - Sanders emphasizes that the public will ultimately bear the costs associated with the increased energy demand from these facilities [2][3]. Group 2: Broader Implications of AI Data Centers - The rapid growth of AI data centers is expected to significantly strain the nation's power grid, with energy experts warning of a surge in demand [6]. - A McKinsey & Co. report indicates that data centers currently account for 5% of total U.S. electricity consumption, with this share potentially more than doubling in the next five years [6]. Group 3: Local Community Reactions - Some local communities are pushing back against large-scale data center projects due to concerns over rising energy bills, water usage, and property values [5]. - Sanders previously commended residents in St. Charles, Mo., for opposing a proposed 440-acre data center, which led to its abandonment [5]. Group 4: Future Projections - McKinsey projects nearly $7 trillion in global data center infrastructure spending by 2030, with the U.S. expected to account for over 40% of this investment [6]. - AI and high-performance computing are anticipated to drive about 40% of future power demand growth, influenced by major players like Amazon, Microsoft, and Google [7].