8 chapters across the catalog
Data Center Power Demands, Utility Bill Increases
Reports from "boots on the ground" indicate that massive data centers for Amazon, Facebook, and Apple are causing significant spikes in local utility bills, including a 200% increase in Prineville, Oregon. An industry executive notes that the power demand is exponential and currently outstripping the capacity of nuclear power plants.
A listener from Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's district provides local insight, noting that she grew up in Yorktown Heights, Westchester, rather than the Bronx. The discussion touches on her victory over Joe Crowley and the impact of the upcoming Amazon HQ2 on rents in Queens. The hosts debate whether the Clinton Foundation has any influence over her political rise.
Two Seattle City Council members traveled to New York City to warn activists about the negative impacts of Amazon's expansion. They cited housing crises and corporate overreach in Seattle as reasons for New Yorkers to resist the new HQ2 in Queens. Jeff Bezos is described as being unprepared for the strength of New York's labor unions and local political opposition.
Apple Billion-Dollar Campus Investment, Austin Traffic Concerns
Apple announced a billion-dollar investment to build a new 133-acre campus in Austin, Texas, which is expected to accommodate up to 15,000 employees. While the expansion makes Apple the largest private employer in the city, local residents express concern over worsening traffic conditions on the 405 and surrounding areas. The move is attributed to Texas' favorable tax structure, specifically the lack of state personal income tax compared to California.
Amazon officially announced it will split its second headquarters between Long Island City, New York, and Arlington, Virginia. New York Governor Andrew Cuomo and Mayor Bill de Blasio faced backlash for offering nearly $3 billion in tax incentives and a helipad for Jeff Bezos. State Senator Ron Kim and other progressives have criticized the deal as "corporate welfare," arguing the funds should instead be used to address student debt and infrastructure.
The race for Amazon's HQ2 is narrowed down to Northern Virginia and potentially Austin. In San Francisco, Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff is campaigning for Proposition C, a tax on large corporations to fund homeless services. The hosts discuss the "battleground" between tech executives like Benioff and Jack Dorsey over the best solutions for urban poverty and the potential for new taxes to drive jobs away.
As Amazon continues its search for a second headquarters (HQ2), Austin and Dallas-Fort Worth remain top contenders. Austin's rising cost of living is noted as a potential drawback, while new infrastructure developments at Fort Worth's Meacham Airport suggest the city is positioning itself for major corporate investment. Speculation centers on the involvement of investment groups linked to Ross Perot.
The city of Austin, Texas, is criticized for focusing on attracting Amazon's second headquarters while failing to address rising homelessness and traffic congestion. Local government priorities are questioned as the city remains in the top 20 finalists for the tech giant's expansion.
