Join Midwest BDC’s monthly Policy Power Hour
—a dynamic, one-hour session where coalition members unpack the latest legislative updates, regulatory shifts, and advocacy opportunities across the Midwest.
This Month’s topic:
The Cloud Isn’t Invisible
Let’s discuss Data Centers, Grid Stress, Jobs, and What Communities Can Do About It
As the Midwest moves toward cleaner and more affordable energy systems, energy demand is shifting rapidly. We will recap building decarbonization—what it is, why it matters, and how it supports community health, affordability, and resilience. Participants will learn how buildings use energy, why electrification is a key strategy, and how the Midwest’s housing stock and climate shape our path forward.
Each session features:
• 🔍 Timely policy briefings from across the region
• 🧭 Strategic insights on building decarbonization and energy justice
• 🗣️ Open discussion and Q&A with fellow advocates
• 📣 Calls to action and upcoming engagement opportunities
We then turn to one of the fastest‑growing drivers of regional energy demand: data centers. These facilities—central to cloud computing, AI, and digital storage—are expanding quickly and placing new pressures on local grids, land use, and community resources.
The session explains what data centers are, why they’re growing, and how their energy needs intersect with community decarbonization goals. We’ll explore impacts on grid stress, job creation, air quality, infrastructure, and long‑term planning. Participants will leave with tools to understand trade‑offs, ask informed questions, and advocate for upcoming state legislation, community‑centered protections for frontline communities, or health‑impact reparations.
Who Should Attend:
Residents, community leaders, local government staff, environmental justice advocates, and anyone interested in how digital infrastructure affects energy systems and community well‑being.