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Tag: build

  • Meta to add 100MW of solar power from US gear

    Meta to add 100MW of solar power from US gear

    Meta signed a deal yesterday with solar developer Silicon Ranch to develop a $100 million, 100-megawatt solar farm in South Carolina.

    The new renewable installation will power Meta’s planned AI data center in the state, which is expected to cost $800 million. Both the data center and the solar plant are expected to begin operations in 2027.

    Most of the equipment for the solar farm will be made in the U.S., according to the companies.

    The new deal is the 18th such agreement signed between Meta and Silicon Ranch. The renewable developer said the deals have helped drive over $2.5 billion in investments.

    Meta has added over 2 gigawatts of solar capacity this year alone. In June, it signed a deal with developer Invenergy for several projects in Ohio, and in May it said it was working with AES to build 650 megawatts of solar in Kansas and Texas. Meta is also working in Texas with Engie and Zelestra to develop nearly 800 megawatts of additional solar capacity.

    Like many hyperscalers, Meta has been tapping renewables like solar for two main reasons. One, it helps the company stick to its net-zero carbon emissions pledges. But perhaps more importantly, solar power is inexpensive and can be deployed quickly, helping reduce time-to-power, a key bottleneck for any new data center.

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    Tech and VC heavyweights join the Disrupt 2025 agenda

    Netflix, ElevenLabs, Wayve, Sequoia Capital, Elad Gil — just a few of the heavy hitters joining the Disrupt 2025 agenda. They’re here to deliver the insights that fuel startup growth and sharpen your edge. Don’t miss the 20th anniversary of TechCrunch Disrupt, and a chance to learn from the top voices in tech — grab your ticket now and save up to $600+ before prices rise.

    Tech and VC heavyweights join the Disrupt 2025 agenda

    Netflix, ElevenLabs, Wayve, Sequoia Capital — just a few of the heavy hitters joining the Disrupt 2025 agenda. They’re here to deliver the insights that fuel startup growth and sharpen your edge. Don’t miss the 20th anniversary of TechCrunch Disrupt, and a chance to learn from the top voices in tech — grab your ticket now and save up to $675 before prices rise.

    San Francisco
    |
    October 27-29, 2025

    REGISTER NOW

  • Black Workers Accuse Walmart of Discriminatory Background Checks in New Lawsuit

    Black Workers Accuse Walmart of Discriminatory Background Checks in New Lawsuit

    Walmart Faces a Class Action Over Alleged Nasty Fired Folks

    Why a Group of Former Employees, Lawyers and the Public Are Noticed Now

    Walmart’s alleged practice — firing qualified Black workers who have a criminal background — is now hit the spotlight under a new class‑action suit lodged last Thursday. The claim roots from longtime calls by progressive watchdogs that the retail giant keeps career‑rotten, lucky points out of the hands of people trying to lift themselves out of poverty.

    The Big Bowl of Trump and “Stupid Equals Bad”

    At a public briefing held at Federal Plaza, downtown Chicago, Marcos Ceniceros of Warehouse Workers for Justice turned the words into a sizzle while snarked on “record vs. character.” “Your past isn’t your voucher or your worth,” he raked, “it shouldn’t be a pretext for firing Black workers who want to put food on the table.”

    What the Plaintiffs Must Show (and Why It’s a Hard Ticket)

    • Evidence that Walmart’s arbitrary bans are applied only to Black employees.
    • Proof that identical criminal records on white workers don’t trigger the same dismissal.
    • Show de facto policies that punish inmates regardless of crime type, which federal law says is nonguaranteed.

    Background Bias or Just Plain Biz Logic?

    In a labor market with enough fresh, clean‑records applicants, the company simply doesn’t need to pay a risk premium for a criminal history unless they want to close a comp gap. “Seeing a sheriff’s badge on a background report is an easy pick against the curious, small‐scale thieves,” the suit argues.

    The Black–and–Crime Debate Fulfills a Bigger Narrative

    Many residents point out that store closures in predominantly Black neighborhoods are part of the “food desert” argument. While the underlying crime and theft statistics can’t be entirely dismissed, the reality is they contribute to the closures as business risk, not racism. Of course, the fight about who should get the chance still flunks some logic.

    Where Accountability Lives

    Was it race or crime? The troll tweet doesn’t fully explain. Businesses cannot pretend that relevant threat dynamics are invisible. If the statistical risk is high, they should handle it on a separate legal basis, not set aside because someone’s minority.

    What Free‑Haven Residents Can Do

    Only the community can decide whether a place opens or shuts; they also determine how hiring or firing puzzles are arranged. Equity alone doesn’t dissolve the matter of job access or store choices.