{
  "id": 1767658,
  "title": "Governors’ races are being increasingly buffeted by the toxic politics of data centers",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/18/governors-races-are-being-increasingly-buffeted-by-the-toxic-politics-1767658",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-18T17:53:02.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Associated Press",
    "slug": "associated-press",
    "url": "https://apnews.com/article/ai-data-centers-governors-pennsylvania-texas-shapiro-abbott-f96176c2bcb76cbe8e823ed79fbdf196"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Data centers, massive server warehouses fueled by electricity to power artificial intelligence and cloud computing, are drawing the ire of some governors in key states as the midterm elections approach. The backlash is increasingly affecting gubernatorial races, particularly in battleground states and presidential swing states.\n\nPennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, a Democrat, announced Tuesday that his administration will no longer prioritize data center projects when issuing construction permits or granting tax exemptions if they fail to meet certain standards. These include paying for their electricity usage, limiting water consumption, and engaging in local outreach. Shapiro, a potential 2028 White House contender, is facing pressure from Republican opponent Stacy Garrity as residents protest proposed data centers in their communities.\n\nIn Texas, Democratic gubernatorial challenger Gina Hinojosa is using the growing discontent over data centers to her advantage. Her campaign released a TV ad accusing Republican Governor Greg Abbott of \"selling you out\" to data center executives and companies. Hinojosa is leveraging an undercurrent of opposition in rural, Republican strongholds, where residents fear data centers could threaten rural life, ranchland, and water supplies.\n\nOnce staunch supporters of data centers, both Shapiro and Abbott have shifted their positions as challengers exploit rising unease. Abbott has directed regulators to prevent residents from paying higher electricity bills due to data centers, even delaying projects until they meet required conditions.",
  "summary": "HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — More governors are shifting their stances or taking more steps to squeeze data centers as the midterm elections near and public opinion sours on the energy-hungry behemoths tech giants are building to fuel artificial intelligence products and cloud computing.…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}