feeds.lexingtonky.news · September 9, 2026
Electrical Workers Union Becomes Major Beshear Donor Amid Data Center Push | The Lexington Times
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# Electrical Workers Union Becomes Major Beshear Donor Amid Data Center Push
September 9, 2026 · Source: Public News Service - Kentucky
The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers has contributed $206,000 to In This Together, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear's political action committee, making the national labor union the fourth largest donor to the PAC since its creation in 2023, according to reporting by the Kentucky Lantern.
The donations underscore the union's strong support for data center development in Kentucky, a position that has drawn scrutiny as concerns mount over the facilities' demands for electricity and water. The IBEW argues that data centers require electricians to build and operate, creating substantial employment opportunities for union members. The union has called for data centers to be built and operated responsibly with strong worker protections.
Gov. Beshear's administration has sought to balance economic development with community concerns by issuing an executive order in August requiring data center developers to demonstrate they will not raise utility rates for residents and engage transparently with local communities. The order directs the Energy and Environment Cabinet to deny permit applications for data centers that would negatively impact air quality, water use, water quality, water supply, wetlands or natural resources.
However, experts question whether the order's protections are sufficiently detailed. Jason Bailey, executive director of the Kentucky Center for Economic Policy, noted that specifics on data center taxation are not defined in the order. Pam Thomas, the center's senior policy director, pointed out that Kentucky's existing manufacturing exemption from sales tax—allowing facilities with energy expenses exceeding 3 percent of production costs to avoid taxes on amounts above that threshold—creates a major incentive for data center companies seeking to locate in the commonwealth.
The union's PAC contributions come as a report by the American Edge Project projected data centers nationwide could create nearly 700,000 permanent jobs. The IBEW, which represents 820,000 members across construction, utilities and telecommunications, has been a consistent major donor to pro-labor political committees in Kentucky and nationwide.