69% of Voters Oppose AI Data Centers in Midterm Battlegrounds as Resource Fears Reshape Races
Updated
Updated · NBC News · Sep 6
69% of Voters Oppose AI Data Centers in Midterm Battlegrounds as Resource Fears Reshape Races
3 articles · Updated · NBC News · Sep 6
Summary
An NBC News Decision Desk poll found 69% of voters oppose AI data centers in their local area, including majorities of Republicans, Democrats and independents, turning the issue into a live factor in November midterm contests.
Water use, power demand, land consumption and higher utility bills are driving that backlash, with voters from Iowa to Ohio saying data centers benefit wealthy companies while straining local resources.
Candidates and officials are adjusting: an Iowa county imposed a temporary moratorium, Ohio Sen. Jon Husted proposed making large operators cover electricity and water costs, and Pennsylvania tightened regulations after earlier courting projects.
The resistance cuts against President Donald Trump, who has championed data centers as engines of jobs, tax revenue and growth, though some union workers and labor groups also back them for high-paying construction and maintenance work.