A data center opponent was arrested after police said he threatened a local official

TL;DR

Harley Delander was arrested in Dixon, Illinois, on felony charges of intimidation and stalking.
The charges stem from alleged threats made against former state representative Tom Demmer, who is now involved in attracting data center development.
Delander stated he was protesting against the proposed data center development and sent an email to Demmer with a veiled threat.
The incident highlights growing tensions between communities and data center developers nationwide, especially in rural areas.
Concerns raised by residents include rising utility bills, water usage, environmental impact, and noise.
Data center development is increasing due to the AI boom, leading to significant backlash in various locations, including New Hampshire and Utah.
An intelligence report noted 'anti-tech violent extremist activity' linked to the rise of AI technology and data centers.

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