Brothers and Sisters,
We all know two things with certainty: one is that, right now, a majority of Americans oppose the construction of data centers in their hometowns. That particular attitude seems to be bipartisan in nature; red and blue alike despise the buildings.
The other thing we know with equal certainty is that, right now, data centers are our bread and butter.
The international organization of the IBEW has agreed on "IBEW Data Center Principles," which is available online at the link I've provided to you. In short, though, the principles are these:
- The IBEW is essential to a future of AI that works for working people.
- Data centers and all associated infrastructure should be built and operated with high-road union jobs.
- Data centers should be powered with technology-agnostic, grid-connected energy generation.
- Data centers should pay their fair share for energy, so residential customers are protected.
- Energy is a critical resource that requires consistent regulation to ensure safety, reliability, and affordability.
- Data centers should be engines of shared prosperity for the communities that host them.
- The data center boom should drive domestic innovation, competitiveness, and job growth in energy and emerging technology supply chains.
- AI should be regulated.
For more detail, visit
https://ibewgov.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/IBEW-Data-Center-Principles-v2-final.pdf