Everyone can find a reason to dislike data center construction
Data & Society finds diverse local opposition is disrupting billions in planned US AI data centers.
TechCrunch reports growing US opposition to AI data center construction, citing surveys in which more than 60% of Americans favor limiting new facilities. Data Center Watch said local opponents disrupted projects worth $68 billion in the second quarter of 2026. A Data & Society study based on interviews with 44 Pennsylvanians describes concerns about power bills, property values, water, emissions, nondisclosure agreements, and distrust of AI hype, while trade unions remain a major source of support. Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro moved from celebrating about $90 billion in 2025 investment to imposing new project requirements a year later.
- More than 60% of Americans favor limiting new data centers.
- Local opponents disrupted $68 billion of projects in Q2 2026.
- Researchers interviewed 44 Pennsylvanians from 2024 to 2026.
- Residents cite power bills, water, emissions, values, and NDAs.
- Shapiro later added requirements after touting about $90 billion.
- Organizations
- Data & SocietyData Center WatchData Center Coalition
- Countries
- United States
From the original article
4 min read at techcrunch.com
Inside two years of fraught AI data center debates in Pennsylvania.
By Tim Fernholz · techcrunch.com
A short excerpt; the article and its images belong to the publisher. Summary, key facts and assessment above are AI-written from the article and can be wrong.