JD Vance Responds to American Backlash Over Data Centers Amid Trump Push
JD Vance defended data centers, saying the opposition stems from power-cost fears and urged America to "build again."
Vice President JD Vance addressed public backlash against data centers on Thursday, attributing much of the opposition to concerns about the impact on local power grids and rising electricity costs. During a White House press briefing, Vance revealed polling data indicating that a significant portion of opposition comes from residents fearing their neighborhoods will deteriorate and power bills will increase.
A recent Economist/YouGov survey found that 47% of 2024 Trump voters opposed new data centers in their community, while 52% believed they would lead to higher power bills. Opposition to data centers extends beyond Trump’s supporters; a March Gallup survey found that 70% of Americans opposed building a data center in their local area, and a July Politico poll revealed that 41% would oppose a facility within three miles of their home, an increase from 28% in January.
Vance argued that the solution lies in expanding energy generation alongside data centers, emphasizing that Trump has advocated for "rate payer protection" and that the administration has facilitated the construction of power generation facilities near AI projects. Framing the issue within a broader economic context, Vance asserted that Trump aims to make the U.S. "a nation of builders again" and cautioned against policies that hinder new infrastructure development.
Trump reaffirmed his support for data centers on Monday, cautioning that communities rejecting the projects risk becoming "backwards and poor," as some Republican representatives have backed restrictions on data center expansion.
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