City Cast Seattle logo
February 22, 2026

Your City Could Be Better: What Seattle Needs To Know about Madison's Data Centers Fight

City Cast Seattle

Your City Could Be Better: What Seattle Needs To Know about Madison's Data Centers Fight

00:00:00
View all City Cast Seattle episodes

Everyone’s talking about AI these days, including Seattleites. And now, more data centers are popping up across the country, thanks in part to the AI revolution. But some cities are stemming the tide, including Madison, Wisconsin, who recently passed a one-year moratorium on new data center construction. City Cast CEO David Plotz feels strongly that this was the wrong choice! He’s sitting down with City Cast Madison podcast host Bianca Martin to weigh the pros and cons of data centers, and debate the economic, ethical, and ecological considerations at the heart of this debate. Plus, David and Bianca share must-know tips for making it in Madison and DC. 

We also mentioned this City Cast Madison episode.

Is there something your city is doing that we should be talking about? Email David now! 

We’re also on Instagram: @yourcitycouldbebetter

Looking to advertise on Your City Could Be Better? Check out our options.

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Hey Seattle

Stay connected to City Cast Seattle and get ready to join the local conversation.

Can't subscribe? Turn off your ad blocker and try again.

Latest Episodes

See all
June 10

Are You Saying ‘Bagel’ Wrong? Plus, WA Tightens the Belt and We Say Goodbye to Hilary Knight

Today on the podcast, Host Jane C. Hu brings on linguistics professor Kara Becker to explain that, actually, audience development manager...

City Cast Seattle podcast episode art
June 9

Council Votes on Data Center Ban Today, Wilson Activates Stadium Cameras, and Condos for Cars?!

Today on the podcast, host Jane C. Hu is joined by contributor Hannah Krieg and guest Adam Willems, co-founder of CHUM news, to talk abou...

City Cast Seattle podcast episode art
June 8

Is Sound Transit Getting Fare Gates? Plus, The World Cup’s Turf Makers

Today on the podcast, host Jane C. Hu is joined by Kade Krichko of Ori Magazine to talk about the real World Cup heroes: sod farmers. Kad...

City Cast Seattle podcast episode art
June 5

GPS Leads Driver Into Mount Baker Light Rail Station. Plus, How To Keep Beloved Local Businesses Open

Today on City Cast Seattle, a Utah woman drove her Mazda up the light rail tracks and into Mount Baker Station. Host Jane C. Hu explores...

City Cast Seattle podcast episode art
June 4

Will Another Transit Tax Measure Pass? Plus, Buying a Building for the Community

Today on City Cast Seattle, we start with an incredibly local story: Joining host Jane C. Hu is Jed Sundwall, founder of the Downtown Loy...

City Cast Seattle podcast episode art
June 3

Why Isn’t Ballard Getting Light Rail? Plus, is Melinda French Gates Going To Bring Back the Sonics?

Today on the podcast, Jane is joined by contributor and Urbanist contributing editor Ryan Packer to catch us up on the latest from Sound...

City Cast Seattle podcast episode art
June 2

Can the City Fix Aurora Ave? Plus, How To Stay Safe During Smoke Season

Today on the podcast, host Jane C. Hu is joined by City Cast Seattle contributors Hannah Krieg of The Burner and Guy Oron of Gossip Guy t...

City Cast Seattle podcast episode art
June 1

Your Guide to June in Seattle

Today on the show, Jane is joined by producers Ashley and Liam to dig into their summer bingo cards – think of a three ferry bike ride an...

City Cast Seattle podcast episode art
May 29

Should South Seattle Have A Say in ‘Bike Weekends?’ Plus, Zuckerberg’s Superyacht and Women In Vinyl

Today on the podcast Jane C. Hu is joined by contributors Brett Hamil and Marcus Harrison Green, as well as special guest Glenn Nelson, j...

City Cast Seattle podcast episode art
May 28

Is Seattle a Top-Tier City? Plus, How Long Does It Take To Become a ‘Seattleite?’

Today’s episode of City Cast Seattle is all about, well, Seattle. First host Jane C. Hu chats with contributor Chase Hutchinson and creat...

City Cast Seattle podcast episode art