{"id":445256,"date":"2025-12-13T23:01:18","date_gmt":"2025-12-13T23:01:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/445256\/"},"modified":"2025-12-13T23:01:18","modified_gmt":"2025-12-13T23:01:18","slug":"fox-host-defends-ai-data-center-needs-over-christmas-tree-farm-get-on-board","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/445256\/","title":{"rendered":"Fox Host Defends AI Data Center Needs Over Christmas Tree Farm: \u2018Get On Board’"},"content":{"rendered":"

Fox Business<\/a> host Dagen McDowell<\/a> defended a proposed energy project that would power artificial intelligence data centers in Virginia<\/a> by running high-voltage transmission lines through three Maryland<\/a> counties, despite objections from a local Christmas tree farm.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Big Money Show\u201d co-host dismissed the farm\u2019s concerns Friday following Fox correspondent Darren Botelho\u2019s report from Gaver Farm in Mount Airy<\/a>, where four transmission towers for the $424 million Maryland Piedmont Reliability Project are set to be built.<\/p>\n

Gaver Farm agrotourism manager Laura House told Botelho that Maryland is \u201cjust an extension cord\u201d for the project, which would \u201cgo through the state\u201d without actually benefiting it, adding that it would be \u201cdevastating\u201d for locals and her farm if construction moves forward.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo, this is just putting transmission lines over this property,\u201d McDowell responded<\/a>. \u201cI think that the United States of America would gladly just saw off Maryland and kick it into the Atlantic Ocean if you don\u2019t like it. \u2026 They\u2019re trying to blame AI, if it\u2019s not AI it\u2019s something else, it\u2019s called growth and development of business.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo, this is just putting transmission lines over this property,\u201d McDowell responded<\/a>. \u201cI think that the United States would gladly saw off Maryland and kick it into the Atlantic Ocean if you don\u2019t like it. \u2026 They\u2019re trying to blame AI, it\u2019s not AI … It\u2019s something else. It\u2019s called growth and development of business.\u201d<\/p>\n

PSEG\u2019s Maryland Piedmont Reliability Project states on its website<\/a> that the proposed 67 miles of transmission lines and towers would \u201cbolster the reliability of the state\u2019s power grid,\u201d noting that Maryland currently sources around 40% of its electricity from out-of-state.<\/p>\n

However, a 2023 report by PJM, the country\u2019s largest Regional Transmission Organization, notes that the project\u2019s driving force is the rapid growth of data centers in northern Virginia<\/a>. The proposed date of operation<\/a> is June 2027.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf there is a need for electricity generation and a conduit like power lines to bring electricity to a densely populated area of business and growth like northern Virginia, then it is not about AI, it is about economic growth for the United States, number one,\u201d McDowell said Friday.<\/p>\n

\u201cNumber two, it is a tree farm \u2014 not growing food. The alternative would be some liberal puts some giant solar panels on that land, and you won\u2019t be growing any Christmas trees, either.\u201d<\/p>\n

When co-host Brian Brenberg noted that he\u2019s seen these \u201cgross-looking\u201d transmission lines and towers in person and argued that Gaver Farm will \u201close all of its aesthetic appeal\u201d if the project moves ahead, McDowell doubled down, telling Americans to fall in line.<\/p>\n

\u201cEverybody needs to get on board,\u201d she said. \u201cYou know what? Buy a fake tree!\u201d<\/p>\n

McDowell\u2019s \u201cfake tree\u201d suggestion led to a groan from McDowell\u2019s co-hosts. <\/p>\n

\u201cA dagger right in my heart,\u201d Brenberg told McDowell, before online critics joined in.<\/p>\n

\n

nothing more anti-Christmas then telling someone to buy a fake tree because of some ai shiz.<\/p>\n

\u2014 DEREK \ud83d\udee1\ufe0f\u24e9 (@DEREK_88888888) December 13, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\n

ah yes i\u2019d love my electric and water bill to be even higher<\/p>\n

\u2014 jordanr (@jordanr) December 13, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\n

Fox News declaring war on real Christmas trees to feed Big Tech’s data center greed, nothing says “holiday spirit” like sacrificing traditions for corporate profits! \ud83c\udf84\ud83d\udeab<\/p>\n

\u2014 Richard Angwin (@RichardAngwin) December 13, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\n

Is this the \u201cwar on Christmas\u201d they\u2019ve been screeching about for the last couple of decades orrrrr<\/p>\n

\u2014 Moechii \ud83e\udeb7 (@takeitsleazy456) December 12, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n