Across the US, people don't want data centers coming to their communities

Across the United States, many people are opposed to the establishment of data centers within their communities due to a variety of concerns. These concerns span across political affiliations and climate change views, yet most Americans express opposition. Data centers are large buildings housing computers that store and process digital information, often bolstering artificial intelligence applications.

While they can stimulate economic growth and employment, they also generate significant electricity demand, which can result in environmental impacts such as increased pollution, water usage, noise, and higher energy costs.

Some local communities have resisted data center projects, influencing zoning decisions and reaching out to state lawmakers. Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey recently enacted an executive order, mandating that data center projects receive municipal approval before state agencies issue permits. In Vermont, Governor Phil Scott vetoed a bill aiming to impose strict regulations on data centers, leading local governments to ban them in certain towns.

Public opinion plays a crucial role in determining the expansion of data centers across the nation. Researchers investigating science communication, climate change, and public health analyzed data from the Spring 2026 Climate Change in the American Mind survey. Conducted by the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication and the George Mason University Center for Climate Change Communication, the survey revealed that most Americans oppose data centers in their area.

In a poll of 1,068 adults, 1,930 of whom were registered voters, 56% said they would oppose building a data center in their local area, while only 15% would support it. Opposition spans across political groups, but the extent varies. Among registered voters, three-quarters of liberal Democrats and half of conservative Republicans oppose data center development. Additionally, opposition is strong among those expressing high concern for climate change (71%) and those dismissing climate change altogether (around 50%).

Concerns about electricity bills are a major issue for Americans. About 59% expect their electricity bills to rise if a data center is established nearby, while only 5% believe bills would decrease, and 25% are uncertain. This concern transcends political divisions, with majorities from all political groups anticipating higher electricity bills.

Similarly, the only group where a majority does not anticipate increased power costs is the Disengaged, who don't engage much with climate change issues, with 43% expecting bill increases and 42% unsure of the impact. Overall, a majority of Americans support requiring data centers to utilize renewable energy sources, such as rooftop solar, and to help weatherize nearby homes to offset electricity needs.