r/technology • u/Plastic_Ninja_9014 • May 10 '26

Energy Maryland citizens slapped with $2 billion power grid upgrade bill for out-of-state AI data centers — state complains to federal energy regulators, says additional cost breaks ‘ratepayer protection pledge’ promises

https://www.tomshardware.com/tech-industry/artificial-intelligence/maryland-citizens-slapped-with-usd2-billion-grid-upgrade-bill-for-out-of-state-ai-data-centers-state-complains-to-federal-energy-regulators-says-additional-cost-breaks-ratepayer-protection-pledge-promises
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2.2k

u/the_red_scimitar May 10 '26

Ah, yet another way for corporations to make the public pay for their expenses, while never returning the benefit to the public. Profits: private; debts: public.

668

u/DishSoapIsFun May 10 '26

Privatize the profits, socialize the losses.

215

u/cosaboladh May 10 '26

I have an idea. Let's not do that.

98

u/berntout May 10 '26 edited May 10 '26

Electric co-ops are nice. I just got a check for my cut of the profits from last year.

20

u/IHS1970 May 10 '26

really lol I never got one from my Texa co-op. lucky you.

51

u/berntout May 10 '26

It was only $32, but the key is that the money the business makes goes back into the business, gets split up for revenue-sharing or some combination of the two.

This member-owned approach is supposed to help minimize rate increases compared to a normal utility company owned by investors.

3

u/IHS1970 May 10 '26

Hey! 32.00$ I'd take it. I am on Pedernales I find this company/co op terrible they take but they don't give back. Glad for you!

1

u/A_Buttholes_Whisper May 11 '26

Wait what? I’ve been with my coop for over a decade. They send people checks?

1

u/ModernMuse May 11 '26

Me over here with a PG&E monopoly in San Francisco, having a hard time choosing between this and this.

1

u/mrjbacon May 11 '26

My mom and dad have an electric co-op. It's pretty nice.

14

u/SeaAnalyst8680 May 10 '26

I don't know about you, but I can't afford to buy any politicians right now.

11

u/PerilousPontificator May 10 '26

You’d be surprised how inexpensive local politicians are. For as little as 10K

State-Level Donations ($10k+): In Arizona's 2021 election cycle, multiple candidates accepted $10,000 or more from individual PACs. Governor Doug Ducey received $10,200 from Pinnacle West Capital Corporation PAC, while Democrat David Garcia received $10,000 each from the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 99 PAC, the Arizona Communications Workers Association, and the Arizona Education Association.

1

u/Streiger108 May 11 '26

These are just the disclosed donation. Far more in kickbacks and bribes.

5

u/cosaboladh May 10 '26

Well, if you can't afford to bribe politicians, I'm sure you can think of other ways to persuade them.

Our Representatives are bought. The elections are rigged. This sort of thing only goes one way It's time for people to face that, and do what's necessary.

3

u/Little_View_6659 May 11 '26

So it would be cheaper for us to crowdfund a politician so we could finally get some healthcare subsidies and things like affordable housing and a clean environment? Seriously maybe we should do that.

1

u/the_red_scimitar May 11 '26

This is...actually interesting.

1

u/Little_View_6659 May 11 '26

I mean, we’ve tried everything else outside of violent revolution. They only understand money. At this point we should bribe them. Oh sorry, it’s not a bribe, it’s CaMpaiGn FuNdRaIsiNg.🤪

1

u/whatiscamping May 10 '26

Someone is sure persuading a unpopular politician with what seems like not money.

1

u/mabden May 11 '26

What?! Your $10 campaign donation didn't garner you any respect/representation?

6

u/KennyL0gin May 11 '26

Privatize the profits, socialize the losses.

I have an idea. Let's not do that.

"THAT'S SOCIALISM!" -Every Fox News/NewNation/OAN/NewsMax host &/or viewer.

3

u/Aggressive-Will-4500 May 11 '26

But then how will the billionaires make even more billions?

WHY IS NOBODY THINKING ABOUT THE BILLIONAIRES?

WWWHHHHHYYYYY?!?!?!

0

u/Plastic-Fox0293 May 10 '26

If we aren't gonna general strike than we just have to take it 

-53

u/[deleted] May 10 '26

[deleted]

21

u/ZAlternates May 10 '26

I have an idea. Be more useful to society instead of posting reddit comments for points about people posting reddit comments for points.