215. Data Centers: The New Oil Plant with Drew Small

In this episode, Dimitrius speaks with Drew Small, founder of No New Data Centers, a grassroots platform challenging a proposed data center near his Nashville home and the Nashville Zoo.They examine the enormous energy, water, land, and infrastructure demands of modern data centers, along with concerns about pollution, heat, noise, flooding, and development in working-class, immigrant, and historically Black communities.Drew also explains how tax incentives, utility interests, and weak local regulations are accelerating construction—often before communities fully understand what is being proposed.But this is also a conversation about people power. Drew shares how concerned residents turned a local development fight into a growing movement and why zoning, public participation, and collective attention may be the strongest tools communities have to demand more responsible development.A timely conversation about technology, environmental justice, corporate influence, and the power of ordinary people to shape the places they call home.No New Data CentersFind Data Centers Near YouEnjoyed this episode? You might want to also listen to the limited series Going Green & Built to DivideLYNESIf you enjoy our content, you can check out similar content from our fellow creators at Gābl Media.Spaces Podcast Spaces Podcast websiteLYNES // Gābl MediaAll rights reserved