Communities are often asked to approve enormous data-center projects without receiving enough information about electricity, water, pollution, noise, taxes, employment, or long-term financial risk. Community Power in the Age of AI gives residents and local leaders a practical method for investigating these projects and demanding enforceable protections.
The book explains how to identify decision-makers, obtain public records, evaluate technical claims, separate forecasts from binding commitments, prepare effective public comments, and demand measurable permit conditions. It also includes guidance for protecting utility customers and monitoring operations.
Armando Oscar Olmos and Maria Teresa Zambrano Rivera show that communities do not have to choose between accepting every corporate demand and rejecting technology completely. Responsible development is possible when residents receive truthful information, meaningful participation, and the power to hold corporations and public officials accountable.