Poll Finds Most Californians Wary of New Data Center Development
A new statewide poll reveals 73% of Californians oppose new data center development in their communities, driven by environmental and cost concerns. This widespread opposition is manifesting in local actions, including Monterey Park's data center ban and a lawsuit filed by Imperial Valley residents. The findings highlight significant tension between the expanding AI industry and community sentiment across the state.
A recent statewide poll conducted by the Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC) reveals that 73% of Californians oppose new data center construction in their local communities, citing significant environmental and cost concerns. This widespread sentiment, which transcends political party lines, highlights increasing friction between the rapidly expanding artificial intelligence industry and local residents.
The survey indicates that opposition is particularly strong in the Inland Empire and Los Angeles County, areas that have recently seen numerous proposed data center projects. Concerns about the environmental impact of these facilities were voiced by 63% of respondents, with Bay Area residents expressing the highest levels of worry.
These findings coincide with a series of concrete local actions across the state. San Francisco recently experienced a public protest against data center expansion. The city of Monterey Park has enacted a ban on data centers, while residents in Imperial Valley have initiated lawsuits challenging a proposed facility. These instances collectively demonstrate a hardening of local resistance into organized opposition, even as the data center industry continues its statewide growth. The poll also touched on broader environmental policy, revealing declining support for Governor Gavin Newsom's gas-powered vehicle ban and tension around renewable energy mandates due to cost-of-living concerns, despite continued support for clean energy goals.