Data Center Defense

More often than not, state and local officials spring data center projects on local communities with little notice or chance for public input. 

A community early warning system could alert citizens and allow them time to effectively mobilize against a data center project.

With this episode, host Brad Ketcher— a 35 year veteran of politics, law, and government—- begins a series of podcasts on early warning tools for communities concerned about data center development.

In this episode, Ketcher explains how to use lobbyist disclosure filings to identify emerging data center projects, in addition to using enforcement of these lobbying laws against data center proponents.

In September, Axios reported on a data center industry polling memo directed to GOP politician about how they could position themselves as "pro-build."

But the memo also offers up the best arguments against data centers and where proponents hope to move the debate.

In this episode, Brad Ketcher pulls the helpful gems from the memo and discusses how to use them against data center proponents and politicians.

Axios news story: https://www.axios.com/2026/09/15/trump-pollster-data-center-republicans-midterm-election

Fabrizio Lee polling memo: https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/28624377-messaging-memo-neutralizing-data-center-attacks/

In this episode of the Data Center Defense podcast, host Brad Ketcher discusses SLAPP lawsuits--- Strategic Litigation Against Public Participation--- by data center proponents and how the Uniform Public Expression Protection Act can be an important check on abusive data center litigation targeting activists.

Episode resources: Background on the Uniform Public Expression Protection Act https://www.uniformlaws.org/committees/community-home?CommunityKey=4f486460-199c-49d7-9fac-05570be1e7b1

In this episode, Brad Ketcher explores ways to pursue a strict liability legal standard for data centers in your state. Whether pursued with the legislature, through a ballot measure, or both, this harsh legal standard could well keep new data centers out of your state. And importantly, simply pursuing strict liability and creating a credible threat of enactment may be enough to freeze new data center construction in your state for an extended period of time.

In our inaugural episode, lawyer and host Brad Ketcher walks through how to use recent AI bot mayhem to push your state toward a "strict liability" damages rule for data centers--- and probably keep new data centers out of your state.