To the editor: An apparent answer to the downside of exploding electrical energy utilization by artificial-intelligence information facilities could be to require them to be coated with photo voltaic panels and have banks of batteries so that they could possibly be not less than partially self-sufficient.
This might reduce into the infrastructure revenue bonanza of the utilities, however it will go an extended strategy to enabling the state to attain our renewable power objectives. It could additionally shield dwelling customers from being gouged to keep up utility earnings.
Given the latest California Public Utilities Fee choices which have curtailed dwelling and small-business photo voltaic, it appears clear that the state’s power coverage is to maintain energy era centralized and guarantee that non-public utilities can earn quite a lot of revenue by constructing infrastructure to feed the huge demand of information facilities.
The utilities get to go on the price of all of this infrastructure, with earnings tacked on, to particular person ratepayers.
Alex Murray, Altadena
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To the editor: Your glorious article exposes the entire insanity of society’s unquenchable thirst for extra electrical energy.
Do we actually want AI? We must always on the very least put a restrict on its energy calls for, or else the world will at all times be “chasing” to fulfill ever-increasing electrical energy consumption. This can put a clear power future utterly out of attain.
The identical goes for cryptocurrency mining, which must also be uncovered for its gluttonous energy consumption whereas including no worth to society.
Mike Sovich, Glendale
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To the editor: It was arduous to keep away from the Aug. 31 print version’s front-page irony of a narrative about AI-created power burdens above one other story about attempting to maintain California employees cool in our warming setting.
California’s leaders appear desirous to bend over to accommodate the wants of Silicon Valley whereas dragging their ft on implementing office cooling rules.
Our state leaders appear to care extra about billionaire’s earnings than the wants of working individuals.
Scott Herbertson, Burbank
