Last year Swiss Environmental Minister Simonetta Sommaruga suggested that residents “shower together” to save energy.
OK, now we’re getting somewhere.

***

The data center cluster in Northern Virginia is three times the size of the next-largest data center area in the world, Singapore. The industry saw a major boost during the pandemic, as more work and social life shifted online. Those boom times are expected to continue, with new artificial intelligence technology driving even more demand for server space. That’s significant for local governments increasingly dependent on the industry for tax revenue.

Northern Virginia’s data centers had a 2% vacancy rate in the first half of 2023, and prices for companies looking to lease that space jumped by 15-20%, both signs of remarkably high demand for square footage in the massive complexes.

***

Beijing’s release of a new “official” map of China has infuriated New Delhi—and a large part of the rest of Asia—by including contentious territorial claims in the South China Sea, the entire Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh, other disputed lands on the Indian-Chinese border, and an island that the Chinese had previously agreed to share with Russia.
The map controversy suggests that Xi’s nationalist pursuit of global power could undermine his push to lead a new bloc against the West.

***

Brits and  Government Confidence/Arrogance                                        

Property owners who fail to comply with new energy British efficiency rules could face prison under government plans that have sparked a backlash from Tory MPs. The Telegraph reports:

"Ministers want to grant themselves powers to create new criminal offences and increase civil penalties as part of efforts to hit net zero targets. Under the proposals, people who fall foul of regulations to reduce their energy consumption could face up to a year in prison and fines of up to £15,000.

Tory backbenchers are set to rebel against the plans, which they fear would lead to the criminalisation of homeowners, landlords and businesses.

The proposals are contained in the Government’s controversial Energy Bill, which is set to come before the Commons for the first time when MPs return from their summer break on Tuesday.

It provides for “the creation of criminal offences” where there is “non-compliance with a requirement imposed by or under energy performance regulations”. People could also be prosecuted for “provision of false information” about energy efficiency or the “obstruction of… an enforcement authority”.

The Bill will replace and strengthen the rules on energy performance certificates (EPCs), which were previously based on now repealed EU law."

The righteous never sleep.