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Utah Set To Exempt NSA Datacenter From Power Tax, After All

Posted by Soulskill on from the please-let-us-make-it-cheaper-for-you-to-spy-on-us dept.

Nerval's Lobster writes "They may not all support what the NSA will do with its giant new datacenter in Bluffdale, but Utah officials do seem to agree on the value of having a world-class, $1.5 billion datacenter built in their territory. In general, they're for it, and are proving that by changing a law that would have added about $2.4 million in taxes to the datacenter's power bill—an addition that was an unpleasant surprise to NSA officials when they heard about it in May. A bill signed into law April 1 imposed a tax of up to 6 percent on electricity from Rocky Mountain Power, a requirement the NSA protested in an email to Utah Gov. Gary Herbert April 26. State tax agencies swear they informed the NSA about the impact of the law when it was still under debate; NSA officials denied knowing anything about it and complained that it would make Utah a less attractive site for the datacenter, which was only three to four months from completion at the time."

5 of 86 comments (clear)

  1. I know nothing by portwojc · · Score: 5, Funny

    Just to be fair the NSA is denying knowing a lot these days.

    1. Re:I know nothing by UdoKeir · · Score: 3, Funny

      They may also have received the email, but now can't find it.

    2. Re:I know nothing by icebike · · Score: 3, Funny

      TL/DR: maybe they're being sincere when they deny knowing what's going on. Not sure if that would be disturbing or re-assuring, though.

      Oh, come on!! Even YOU don't believe that tripe.

      Director: What do all you guys in this room do?
      Guys: Secret stuff sir. You don't want to know.
      Director: Right, well, I'd like to stay, but its lunch time. Gotta run.
      Guys: kbye!

      --
      Sig Battery depleted. Reverting to safe mode.
  2. Spying fail by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    If only the NSA had been doing a better job spying on the Utah legislature that would have found out about this in advance.

  3. When Rocky Mountain Power ... by PPH · · Score: 3, Funny

    ... forgets to enter this exception into their CICS system and the NSA is in arrears $2.4 mill, I want to be the lineman handling the disconnect notice.

    --
    Have gnu, will travel.