Data centers emerge as bipartisan flashpoint ahead of 2026 midterm elections
Opposition to data centers is emerging as a bipartisan political issue ahead of the 2026 midterm elections across the US, driven by concerns over utility costs, water usage, and local impacts. Polling indicates widespread public resistance. New York has enacted a statewide moratorium, and local restrictions are being adopted in other areas.
The article highlights that opposition to data centers is becoming a bipartisan political issue leading up to the 2026 midterm elections. This backlash, fueled by concerns over the "windowless facilities that power artificial intelligence," is manifesting in "not in my back yard" sentiments across various local and national races. Polling from Gallup and Reuters/Ipsos indicates significant public resistance to data center development in local areas.
Political candidates from both major parties are incorporating the issue into their campaigns, addressing local impacts like increased utility bills, excessive water consumption, and the proximity of these facilities to residential neighborhoods. State Rep. James Talarico, a Democratic Texas Senate candidate, criticized data centers for raising utility costs, lacking community input, and exacerbating water crises in states like Texas. Conversely, Republican Florida gubernatorial candidate Rep. Byron Donalds acknowledged water management as a concern but emphasized the importance of strategic siting to avoid residential areas. Former President Donald Trump has encouraged communities to embrace data center development.
In response to growing concerns, New York has enacted a statewide, one-year moratorium on data centers. Furthermore, numerous city councils and counties nationwide have implemented their own local restrictions on data center development. The debate is expected to remain a significant factor in political discourse through the upcoming midterms and beyond. The article features an aerial view of Meta's $10 billion, 1-gigawatt data center in El Paso, Texas, as an example of the large-scale projects at the center of this controversy.