Seven out of 10 Americans oppose local construction of AI data centers
A Gallup poll reveals that 7 out of 10 Americans oppose local construction of AI data centers, citing high costs, resource strain, and environmental concerns. This national sentiment is highlighted by Meta's massive "Hyperion" data center project in rural Richland Parish, Louisiana, which is expected to consume vast amounts of electricity and will be supported by ten new gas-fired power plants.
A recent Gallup poll, conducted from March 2-18, 2026, found that 7 out of 10 Americans oppose the local construction of AI data centers, with majorities across all political parties expressing concerns over costs, resource constraints, and environmental impacts. The findings were discussed on "Morning Joe" by Bloomberg tech reporter Riley Griffin.
Griffin detailed the situation in rural northeast Louisiana, which has become a focal point for the AI infrastructure boom. Meta Platforms is currently building "Hyperion," one of the world's largest AI data centers, in the impoverished Richland Parish. This facility is projected to consume electricity comparable to New York City's winter usage and will require the construction of 10 new gas-fired power plants to support its operations.