Backlash against data centres becomes an issue in the US midterms

Local groups opposing data centres

833 groups

Community groups organizing against data centres more than doubled to 833 in the first months of the year, in almost every state, according to the research firm Data Center Watch.

What residents object to

• The size of the buildings
• Construction and operating noise
• Their use of air, water and energy
• How fast they are approved

Residents in Indiana, Arizona, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Oregon cite the size and noise of the buildings, their use of air, water and energy, and how fast they are approved.

Politicians in both parties are shifting: Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs paused new tax breaks for data centres for three years, and Texas Governor Greg Abbott has backtracked.

President Donald Trump, who backs the fast growth of AI, called the backlash a “sick conspiracy”, putting some Republicans at odds with him.

— Donald Trump