Findings of a data center study

A new large-scale study, conducted by Adam Rauh of the University of Michigan and Mason Reece of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, reveals a dramatic increase in local government engagement with data center projects across the United States. Their research, based on 150,000 meeting transcripts from 48 states between 2007 and 2026, found a 900% increase in such dealings between 2023 and 2026, alongside a fivefold increase in data center investment over the last decade, with projections for an additional $1 trillion in investment by 2030. The study identified a primary tension in local policymaking surrounding data centers: the economic development potential versus expected local costs such as noise, utility rate increases, and environmental impact. While speakers tend to be positive about economic benefits like new jobs, concerns regarding utilities, traffic, noise, sustainability, and air quality are often expressed negatively. The researchers also concluded that opposition to data centers is largely driven by members of the public rather than local officials, with discussions becoming significantly more negative as more community members voice their opinions. Conversely, meetings led solely by local officials without public input tend to discuss data centers more positively. The study acknowledges that while local government attention has surged, understanding how communities are systematically managing this increase in data center construction remains an area for further exploration.