Concerns over data centers take center stage ahead of 2026 Nevada midterms
Data centers have become a major political issue in Nevada, with nearly 59% of surveyed residents opposing facilities in or near their communities. Candidates and voters are debating state tax incentives for data center development and potential federal guardrails for artificial intelligence and the facilities that support it.
A recent Emerson College poll found that nearly 59% of Nevada respondents oppose building data centers in or near their communities. Public concerns about the facilities have elevated data center development among voters' top issues ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
The debate includes tax incentives created by the Nevada Legislature to encourage data center construction and broader calls for Congress to establish safeguards for artificial intelligence and its supporting infrastructure. KNPR's Yvette Fernandez spoke with Rep. Dina Titus, a Democrat representing Nevada's 1st Congressional District, about the issue.