The Bigger Picture Behind America’s Data Center Debate
The program examines public opposition to data center construction, focusing on concerns about power-grid strain, utility costs and water use. Heartland Institute director Donald Kendall argues that data centers also provide construction and engineering jobs, generate tax revenue and support U.S. leadership in artificial intelligence.
One America News discusses the national debate over expanding data center infrastructure. Host commentary cites surveys showing opposition tied to electricity demand, higher utility bills and water consumption, while noting that the United States already has roughly 3,000 active data centers and nearly 2,000 additional projects planned or under construction. Virginia, Texas and California are identified as major data center locations, with Loudoun County cited as an example of significant property-tax revenue from the industry.
Donald Kendall, director of the Glenn C. Haskins Emerging Issue Center at the Heartland Institute, says resistance reflects concerns about artificial intelligence, large technology companies and political distrust across the ideological spectrum. He argues that data centers create construction and engineering jobs, generate substantial tax revenue and provide infrastructure needed for advances in AI, health care, education, logistics and manufacturing, as well as competition with China.