The data centers are winning

The data center boom continues despite growing opposition. Demonstrators protested in Imperial, California, on July 18, 2026, waving signs against AI data center expansion. A July Heatmap Pro and Embold Research survey showed only 15% support for building a data center in the area, while 75% opposed it. This is a stark contrast to August 2025, when 43% approved and 42% opposed the development.

Despite this backlash, data center projects are still massive and driven by strong economic forces. They can be built almost anywhere, making it difficult to halt them. In response to the opposition, some states have enacted new restrictions, such as Pennsylvania's Governor Josh Shapiro, who implemented new rules after previously supporting investment.

Texas, a pro-business state, also announced a temporary moratorium on new approvals. However, data center projects are being canceled at a record rate due to local opposition, causing concern among some in the tech industry that the buildout may collapse. But experts believe that despite the opposition, the economic forces driving the buildout remain stronger than the political opposition.

Unless Congress enacts a national moratorium, AI companies will likely continue finding jurisdictions willing to host data centers, provided they offer sufficient revenue and incentives. While the backlash is significant, the AI industry's buildout is even bigger, making it unlikely that the boom can be killed without a collapse in demand for computing power or a major shift in American politics.