Who Loves Data Centers? Electricians.

Mr. Slaiman is the political coordinator of I.B.E.W. Local 26, which represents electrical workers in the Washington, D.C., area.

Data centers aren’t winning many popularity contests. At least 15 states and more than 200 counties and municipalities have proposed or passed moratoriums against their development, often with bipartisan support. When it comes to the hearts and minds of the thousands of electricians I represent, however, the battle has been won. We want to build more data centers. Because the nation needs more of them.

The opposition to data centers is fueled by genuine concern — and plenty of misinformation. What’s lacking from the debate is a discussion of what........

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