Scott Good, who is technologies director at Providence, R.I.-based Gilbane Building Co. and president of the regional chapter of AFCOM, the Orange, Calif.-based data center managers association, offered a similar view.

'I don't think [utility costs are] a major factor,' Good said. 'There are just too many companies out there that are basing their business model on where the reliability, the people and systems are rather than on the cost associated with keeping those systems online.'