From political prize to campaign liability: Data centers become a midterm battleground
The Shapiro administration in Pennsylvania has launched a new website and signed an executive order to heavily restrict data center development, responding to growing public opposition and concerns. This reflects a national trend where data centers, once seen as an economic boon, are now a significant political liability for candidates in midterm elections, driven by issues like noise and electricity costs. Politicians across various states are adapting their stances to voter sentiment.
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro's administration has launched a new website, pa.gov/yourvoiceondatacenters, to gather public feedback on data center proposals, including their location, local support, and adherence to gubernatorial requirements. This initiative follows an executive order signed by Governor Shapiro heavily restricting data center projects in the state, a significant shift from his previous pro-development stance.
Data centers, once lauded as economic boons promising investment and jobs, are rapidly transforming into a political liability on the campaign trail ahead of midterm elections. A recent "heat map poll" indicates a sharp rise in public opposition, with 75% of Americans now opposing data centers near their homes, up from 42% a year ago. This shift is leading politicians nationwide to reconsider their positions.
The issue is evident in races from Wisconsin, where Republican Tom Tiffany is spending heavily to brand his Democratic opponent David Crowley as "pro-data center," to Texas, Nevada, and Ohio. While some leaders like Florida Republican Byron Donalds support data centers but advocate for self-sufficiency in power and water and placement away from residential areas, former President Donald Trump maintains strong support, viewing them as crucial for US competitiveness in the AI race against China, citing job creation, investment, and tax revenue benefits for local communities. Concerns driving public opposition include noise complaints and rising electricity costs.