In a divided America, the left and right unite to oppose artificial intelligence data centers
Across the US, an unlikely coalition of left and right-leaning groups is uniting to oppose data center developments, driven by concerns over farmland, water, and electricity. This cross-partisan opposition has led to a 12-month moratorium in Cass County, Nebraska, and a granted injunction in New Mexico halting well drilling for Oracle's Project Jupiter due to water scarcity concerns.
An unusual alliance of conservative farmers and environmental groups, including the state Sierra Club, is emerging across the United States to oppose the rapid development of data centers. Concerns include the loss of farmland, strain on water and electricity resources, and the transformation of rural communities by large corporations.
In Cass County, Nebraska, where energy company Tenaska and data center operator CyrusOne have acquired land, officials recently enacted a 12-month moratorium on data center development. This action stemmed from local fears that projects could lead to the construction of natural gas power plants and exacerbate issues like rising electricity costs, as expressed by residents like fifth-generation farmer Judy Stroy.
Meanwhile, in New Mexico, Oracle's proposed $165 billion Project Jupiter data center complex near the Mexican border faces significant opposition over dwindling water supplies. Despite Oracle's pledges to invest in water systems and agricultural technology to conserve water, the Center for Biological Diversity filed an emergency petition with the New Mexico Supreme Court. The court granted this request, issuing an injunction that temporarily halts authorization for well drilling to supply water for the project's construction.
The debate has gained national attention, with politicians from both major parties taking diverse stances. While some, like former President Donald Trump and certain union leaders, support data centers for economic benefits and job creation, others, including governors from New York, Pennsylvania, and Texas, have introduced restrictions or ordered audits, reflecting the growing political pressure ahead of upcoming elections.