Key facts
- Politicians are adopting stricter data center policies amid growing public opposition.
- Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro mandated developers cover electricity costs and obtain local approval for data centers.
- Michigan Republican Senate candidate Mike Rogers supports a one-year moratorium on new data centers.
- Concerns about electricity costs, water usage, and environmental impacts are driving public sentiment against data centers.
- A recent Fox News poll shows significant voter opposition to new data centers for AI.
Public opposition to the rapid buildout of data centers, driven by concerns over electricity costs, water usage, and environmental impacts, is increasingly influencing political races across the United States. Politicians from both major parties are responding by adopting stricter policies and criticizing opponents' ties to the industry.
In Pennsylvania, Governor Josh Shapiro signed an order requiring data center developers to cover electricity costs and secure local approval, while also barring projects from a fast-track permitting program. This move comes as his Republican opponent, Stacy Garrity, has criticized Shapiro's past support for data center investments.
In Michigan, Republican Senate candidate Mike Rogers announced his backing for a one-year state moratorium on new data centers, aiming to establish a transparent approval process that prioritizes local communities. His Democratic opponent, Abdul El-Sayed, has proposed his own set of terms for data center development.
Meanwhile, in Ohio, Democratic Senator Sherrod Brown is targeting his Republican opponent, Jon Husted, over his record on data centers. An internal memo from the National Republican Senatorial Committee highlighted data centers as a significant political liability for Husted.
Recent polling indicates a strong public sentiment against the construction of data centers for AI infrastructure, with a significant majority favoring a slowdown to address environmental and community concerns. This shift in public opinion appears to be reshaping the political calculus for officials who previously welcomed such investments.