WEST RUTLAND, Vt. (WCAX) – Town leaders in Royalton are sharing information across the state about artificial intelligence and its potential impact on communities, as debate continues over data centers around the country.
On Town Meeting Day, Royalton passed a five-year ban on the construction of AI and cryptocurrency data centers.
Leaders noted there are no current plans or proposals to build a data center in Vermont. Still, Jane Philbrick, a board member for the Royalton Memorial Library, said she wants to get ahead of the issue.
“Where people are becoming comfortable with the idea that this is a community conversation. We’re not supposed to just sit here and wait for decisions to be made above our heads, and that alone is worth the effort. And then again, I come as a neighbor,” Philbrick said.
A meeting is taking place on Wednesday at 7 p.m. at the West Rutland Library.
The meeting comes after Gov. Phil Scott vetoed a bill last month that would have regulated AI data centers and their financial and environmental impact on Vermont communities. In his veto, Scott said Vermont has enough protections in place through Act 250.
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