70% of Americans Oppose Local Data Centers as AI Infrastructure Faces Massive Backlash
A Gallup poll showing roughly seven in 10 Americans oppose new AI data centers being built near their homes has turned a simmering local debate into a national political headache for hyperscalers and local officials alike.
According to a report by The Washington Post, community feelings over AI data factories have become increasingly rancorous as residents cite soaring electric bills, strained water supplies, and the loss of open land as key pain points. In fact, strikingly large majorities now say they’d rather live next to a nuclear plant than a server farm. And the opposition has grown quickly, too—coming from about 47% late in 2025 to roughly 70% in the March survey, although more crucially, the opposition has already translated into policy: dozens of jurisdictions have enacted moratoriums and state lawmakers are proposing halts or stricter oversight to slow such construction.
Utility operators and regulators say the numbers help...
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