Study: Public opposition to data centers could change if people felt they were benefitting, too
A new Yale report suggests that public opposition to data centers could diminish if communities perceive direct benefits, such as reduced household electricity costs. The survey found that residents are concerned about increased utility bills but would be more supportive if developers offered incentives like heat pump upgrades or solar panels. Consequently, states like New Jersey and Virginia are considering regulations to prevent data centers from passing on increased power usage costs to consumers.
A recent study conducted by Yale university researchers, in collaboration with the advocacy non-profit Rewiring America, suggests that widespread public opposition to data centers, regardless of political affiliation, could be mitigated if communities felt they were also benefiting from their presence. The report, "Climate Change in the American Mind," found that 74% of survey respondents would be more supportive of data centers if developers offered assistance to offset home electricity costs.
Kristin Eberhard, vice president of policy at Rewiring America, emphasized that this resistance is not "knee-jerk" opposition to growth but rather a rejection of a "bad bargain" where communities bear the costs while others reap the benefits. She proposed that data center developers or local governments could offer incentives such as heat pump upgrades, rooftop solar panels, weatherization, home batteries, and smart controls to lower consumer energy bills.
The concerns are particularly focused on potential increases in household utility bills. In response, several states, including New Jersey and Virginia, are exploring regulatory options. These proposed regulations aim, in part, to prevent data centers from passing on increased power usage costs to local customers, reflecting a growing governmental interest in addressing the economic impact of data centers on communities. This comes as Boulder City, Nevada, residents recently packed a City Council meeting to oppose a data center project in their community.