National Poll Shows Bipartisan Concern Over Data Center Impacts
A national poll finds that a majority of Americans are increasingly concerned about the environmental impacts of artificial intelligence and data centers, specifically regarding their high electricity and water consumption. The survey indicates bipartisan support for limiting new data center construction and requiring them to utilize clean energy sources. Public opinion suggests a desire for policy changes to address these issues.
A new poll by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research and the Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago reveals a significant increase in national concern among Americans regarding the environmental impacts of artificial intelligence and the data centers that power it. The survey, conducted from July 6-24, 2026, found that 53% of U.S. adults are "extremely" or "very" concerned about AI's environmental footprint, an increase from 41% last year, with Democrats driving much of this rise. Michael Greenstone, director of the University of Chicago institute, described the situation as a "massive experiment in real time" with growing public wariness.
The poll highlights broad anxieties about the local impacts of data centers, including their substantial electricity and water usage. About 6 in 10 Americans support limiting the number of new data centers, a sentiment shared across both Democratic and Republican voters. Concerns about electricity prices and water supply were also prevalent, with energy systems engineer Fengqi You from Cornell University noting that a single large data center campus can strain smaller municipal areas. Erik Nordman, director of Michigan State University's Institute of Public Utilities, emphasized the scale of required electrical infrastructure.
Furthermore, approximately two-thirds of U.S. adults support requiring data centers to use clean energy sources. While Eriech Tapia, a Republican from Arlington, Virginia, acknowledged the computing power benefits, he expressed worries about electricity consumption. Nancy Antunes, a Democrat from Waltham, Massachusetts, voiced concerns that decisions favor companies over communities. Despite some Republicans seeing benefits in technological advancement and job creation, about a third do not perceive benefits for job creation. The findings suggest a growing public pressure for regulatory measures on the data center industry.