Key facts
- Voter opposition to AI data centers is growing across the U.S., uniting people across ideological lines.
- Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer's support for a large data center project has drawn significant local backlash.
- The Stargate data center project in Saline Township, Michigan, faces strong community resistance despite developer promises of jobs and tax revenue.
- Politicians, including Democratic candidates in Michigan's U.S. Senate race, are navigating voter concerns about data centers.
- The White House is exploring voluntary pledges to shield taxpayers from the costs associated with AI expansion.
AI data centers are becoming a significant point of contention in U.S. swing states, creating political challenges for Democrats as voter opposition mounts over concerns about water supply, power grids, and the preservation of rural character.
In Michigan, Governor Gretchen Whitmer's backing of a $16 billion OpenAI data center project in Saline Township has ignited local resistance. Residents, led by activists like Tammie Bruneau, are concerned about the project's impact on farmland and local resources. Despite developer assurances of job creation and tax revenue, and a settlement that included community benefits, opponents continue to challenge the project.
This local fight mirrors a broader national trend, with a Reuters/Ipsos poll indicating that only a third of Americans approve of the pace of data center construction, and a mere 14% would support one in their own community. This sentiment is particularly pronounced in Michigan, where numerous data center projects are facing community pushback.
The issue is forcing political candidates to navigate a delicate balance. In the race for Michigan's U.S. Senate seat, tech optimist Haley Stevens highlights job creation, while her progressive rival Abdul El-Sayed advocates for greater government oversight of AI companies. Both face scrutiny from voters who feel large tech companies are steamrolling local concerns.
Even the White House has acknowledged the shifting public sentiment, with reports indicating efforts to create voluntary pledges that would prevent taxpayers from bearing the costs of AI expansion. The controversy underscores the complex interplay between technological advancement, economic development, and local community concerns.