Public disapproval of data centers is on the rise, potentially becoming a significant factor in the upcoming midterm elections, according to recent polling. A May Gallup poll indicated that 71% of Americans oppose the construction of data centers, a figure higher than their opposition to new nuclear power plants, which stood at 53%.
This growing "NIMBYism" sentiment is evident across the political spectrum. A July survey by Public First revealed shifts in voter opinion. Among those who voted for Vice President Kamala Harris in 2024, support for data center construction within three miles of their homes dropped from 36% in January to 22% by July, while opposition increased from 33% to 53%. For those who voted for former President Donald Trump, opposition rose to 33% from 26%, with support falling nine percentage points to 34%.
As more than 200 data centers are reportedly under construction in numerous competitive House districts, politicians are increasingly looking to distance themselves from the controversial projects. Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, a Democrat, signed an executive order to restrict data center development in his state, labeling some developers as "predatory."
In Texas, Republican Governor Greg Abbott implemented a pause on data center approvals and established new standards for water and electricity usage, as well as quality of life for nearby residents. He noted that one company withdrew its project after refusing to comply with these requirements.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul issued a statewide moratorium on large-scale data center construction, a move that has drawn criticism from AI proponents concerned about potential impacts on construction jobs and from others who believe the regulations are not sufficiently strict.
Major technology companies, including Google, Meta, Amazon, and Microsoft, are actively attempting to shape public perception and advocate for more lenient regulations concerning AI development. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has promoted AI as a driver of prosperity, while OpenAI has launched advertising campaigns highlighting the perceived benefits of its technology.
However, these efforts appear to be overshadowed by negative accounts circulating online, which frequently cite environmental concerns, noise and light pollution, and potential job displacement due to AI. Viral social media posts have documented issues such as persistent high-pitched whining sounds attributed to data centers and disputes over land acquisition for power line expansion to support these facilities. One resident in Michigan launched a class-action lawsuit against a data center operator over alleged excessive noise pollution.
These concerns are fueling calls for stricter regulations and, in some cases, outright bans on data center construction, with some online commenters expressing that data centers are unnecessary.