US datacenters face slew of problems amid grassroots protests against AI
News ClipThe Guardian·Saline, Washtenaw County, MI·2/24/2026
Proposed data center projects in the US are facing a slew of challenges, including supply chain issues, energy shortages, and grassroots opposition from local communities. Many new data center plans have been delayed or canceled, raising questions about the US's ability to rapidly expand its data center infrastructure to support the AI boom. The interconnection process to connect data centers to the power grid is a major bottleneck, with some grid operators taking years to review and approve new connections.
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Rural Michigan residents are protesting against the planned $7 billion Stargate data center, as cancellations and delays of new U.S. data centers have increased amid the AI boom. Grassroots opposition, supply chain issues, energy shortages, and tariff-induced restraints have derailed some data center plans, raising questions about the U.S.'s ability to expand infrastructure to support the growth. Grid connection challenges, skilled labor shortages, and reliance on imported equipment are among the key obstacles. However, some solutions are emerging, including battery storage and new transformer technologies being developed by big tech companies.