McDowell was defending a proposed plan for a 67-mile long transmission line running through Maryland that would bring more power to the booming AI data centers in northern Virginia. The $424 million Maryland Piedmont Reliability Project is facing opposition from farmers and other property owners whose land is in its path, including the owners of a Maryland Christmas tree farm. Critics argue that Maryland would be acting as an “extension cord” for the AI data centers, seeing no real benefits from the infrastructure while enduring a massive eyesore. “Buy a fake tree!”Maryland is one of many battlegrounds across the country that have sprung up over the rapid construction of AI data centers. More on AI: Trump Orders States Not to Protect Children From Predatory AI