Exclusive: Climate group presses Dems to seize on data center backlash

A climate advocacy group has provided Democratic candidates with guidance on how to utilize the growing discontent surrounding data centers in their campaigns. This memo, titled "Climate Power," highlights that public opinion on data centers is plummeting and presents an opportunity for Democrats to exploit this issue ahead of the midterm elections and the 2028 presidential race.

The primary message behind the memo is that the Republican Party, and specifically former President Donald Trump, has granted AI data centers unfettered access to raise utility bills, pollute the air, and deplete water resources.

To differentiate themselves from Trump and rally behind three key principles, Democrats should unite around advocating for tech companies to fund their own data centers, powering them with renewable energy, and providing communities with a genuine voice in the decision-making process. The memo also emphasizes the importance of informing communities about the usage of water and energy by these facilities.

While the issue of data centers has not been a partisan divide thus far, with both parties advocating for restrictions on tech companies and developers passing on costs to consumers, Democrats currently lack a unified stance. High-profile Democrats have adopted various approaches to the issue. Jesse Lee, a senior adviser with Climate Power, believes that Republicans are heavily dependent on Trump's support for the data center sector and will inevitably align with his stance.

Lee also noted that if Republicans maintain control over the House and Senate, GOP lawmakers will act as "an army for data centers" in support of Trump's agenda.

The memo contends that, although some GOP candidates are now emphasizing data center accountability, Trump remains the driving force behind the party's position. If Republicans retain control of the House and Senate, GOP lawmakers will be a strong advocate for data centers under Trump's direction. The memo suggests that Democrats can debate specific policies, such as implementing enforceable regulations or implementing a temporary moratorium on data centers.

Climate Power shared the memo with several Democratic organizations, including the Democratic National Committee, the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, and the Democratic Governors Association. However, the group did not disclose a list of potential 2028 candidates who received the memo, but Lee indicated that the memo was likely distributed to "pretty much everybody in the conversation."