Name: In your backyard: How to cover the AI and data centers boom
Start: 2026-05-08T16:00:00-0400
End: 2026-05-08T16:45:00-0400

In your backyard: How to cover the AI and data centers boom

Friday May 8, 2026 4:00pm - 4:45pm EDT

Ormandy East, lobby level

Data centers are the new power players in town. As the AI boom puts more of them in communities' backyards, power grids, water systems, and housing prices are feeling the pressure, and it’s quickly becoming a flash point in local politics nationwide.

A panel of reporters who have covered the environmental, energy, economic, and political impacts of data centers will share their best reporting tips, including how to find unique angles, who to talk to, and where to send FOIA and PIA requests.

Moderators

Hannah Beckler

Correspondent, Business Insider

Hannah Beckler is a correspondent on Business Insider's enterprise team. She recently co-reported a series investigating data centers’ impact on water, power, pollution, and local economies, which won a 2025 George Polk Award in environmental reporting. Beckler’s previous investigative... Read More →

Speakers

Kevin Hardy

Reporter, Stateline

Kevin Hardy covers business, labor and rural issues for Stateline, a national outlet covering state policy matters for States Newsroom, the nation’s largest state-focused nonprofit news organization. Hardy previously reported on business and government issues for The Kansas City... Read More →

Laila Kearney

U.S. Power Correspondent, Reuters

I cover the U.S. energy industry for Reuters, where I focus on power companies, grids and the proliferation of Big Tech's data centers. My previous beats include municipal finance, national affairs and California local governments. I am an alumna of the Knight-Bagehot Fellowship in... Read More →

Ivan Penn

Energy correspondent, The New York Times

Ivan Penn joined The New York Times in 2018 as an energy correspondent, based in Los Angeles. Prior to his role at the Times, he reported for The Miami Herald, The Baltimore Sun, The St. Petersburg/Tampa Bay Times and The Los Angeles Times, covering local and state governments, criminal... Read More →

Friday May 8, 2026 4:00pm - 4:45pm EDT
Ormandy East, lobby level

SABEW26

Hannah Beckler

Kevin Hardy

Laila Kearney

Ivan Penn

Get help with the event

SABEW26

Hannah Beckler

Kevin Hardy

Laila Kearney

Ivan Penn

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