Former President Donald Trump has reiterated his support for data centers, asserting that communities opposing their development risk economic stagnation. His comments come as public opinion polls reveal a significant majority of Americans are against having such facilities in their neighborhoods.
Trump, speaking via Truth Social on Monday, stated that areas rejecting data centers would become "backwards and poor." He argued that embracing these centers, which he referred to as "Data," could lead to economic prosperity, lower taxes, and job creation. "If we kill the Golden Goose, you will only have yourselves to blame. China could not be happier with this anti Data Center movement. Actually, they can’t believe it is happening!" Trump wrote.
The growing backlash against data centers is linked to broader concerns about the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence, the increasing influence of social media, and the substantial profits of major technology companies. Trump and some Republican officials have suggested that foreign influence operations may be fueling this opposition to undermine U.S. economic competitiveness, although concrete evidence has not been presented.
Data centers, which house computing infrastructure and support digital services, are seen by proponents as crucial for maintaining America's global economic standing. The United States currently operates an estimated 4,000 to 5,400 data centers, with plans for approximately 1,500 new facilities nationwide, indicating a potential expansion of over 50%. Pew Research indicates that 38% of Americans live within five miles of an operational data center.
Concerns regarding data centers often center on their significant requirements for land and electricity. These facilities consume substantial amounts of power, leading to worries about increased utility costs for residents. In areas like northern Virginia, the proliferation of data centers has been associated with a rise in electricity bills, with some residents reporting bills exceeding $1,000 during the past winter.
Environmentalists also raise concerns about the large volumes of water used by data centers for cooling equipment.
To address the issue of rising energy costs, Trump has promoted his "Ratepayer Protection Pledge," which proposes that data center developers bear the cost of new energy infrastructure. Nationally, data centers currently account for about 4.4% of U.S. electricity consumption, with projections indicating this could rise to 12% by 2030.
Several state-level responses have emerged. New York Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul recently signed an executive order placing a one-year moratorium on the construction of large data centers. This decision has drawn criticism from business leaders who argue it could drive investment to other states and result in lost job opportunities.
Even some Republican leaders have expressed reservations. Texas Governor Greg Abbott has temporarily paused new data center grid connections and initiated an audit of centers regarding escalating electricity costs.
Despite these concerns and differing political responses, Trump maintains that the economic advantages offered by data centers outweigh potential drawbacks. He has previously stated that he would actively seek to attract such facilities if he were a local or state leader, emphasizing the significant employment and tax revenue they can generate.