As Trump pushes for data centers, voters in key midterm races say they don’t want them
An NBC News poll reveals 69% of US voters oppose local AI data center construction, leading to growing political and public resistance. This opposition is manifesting in local actions, such as a temporary moratorium enacted in Buchanan County, Iowa, and driving policy shifts among state-level politicians responding to concerns over environmental impact and utility costs.
An NBC News Decision Desk Poll indicates that 69% of respondents across the U.S. oppose the construction of AI data centers in their local areas, with 45% expressing strong opposition. This widespread sentiment contrasts with former President Donald Trump's view that data centers bring economic benefits like jobs and lower taxes.
The opposition spans the political spectrum, as exemplified by Dawn Vogel, a Republican county supervisor in Buchanan County, Iowa, who voted for a temporary moratorium on data centers. Her stance aligns with proposed national moratoriums from prominent progressive figures like Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Sen. Bernie Sanders. Voters like Tamara Clark from Ohio and Jordan Cloe from Iowa voice concerns about data centers driving up utility costs and straining natural resources, particularly water and electricity grids.
Elected officials are beginning to respond to this public pressure. Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro recently signed new data center regulations, and Ohio Senator Jon Husted introduced legislation requiring large-scale data center operators to cover the increased electricity and water costs. This marks a shift from previous pro-development stances. While labor unions and data center workers highlight the job creation and high wages offered by the industry, public resistance based on environmental and economic impacts continues to grow, becoming a significant issue in upcoming midterm elections.