What a pleasant surprise to see the headline, “Lewiston votes down AI data center after public outcry” (Dec. 17). But I probably should not have been surprised.

Data Center Watch, an organization that tracks public opposition to large AI data centers, notes on its website that $64 billion of these projects in the United States “have been blocked or delayed by local opposition” — and bipartisan opposition at that.

In the case of Lewiston, bland assurances about power and water usage from MillCompute and a huge 20-year TIF for a player in an industry whose bubble might not survive 20 more months got people out of their homes and into the City Council chambers.

This raises the subject of tax incentive financing. Why is it that taxpayer funding is constantly demanded (and offered) for projects that developers are planning anyway?

Lewiston taxpayers shouldn’t be asked to ensure profits for MillCompute to contribute to its industry’s record of environmental damage, job loss and production of the aptly named “AI slop.” Thank you to the people who turned out in Lewiston this week and educated their elected officials.

Renee Cote
Auburn