Across the US, people don’t want data centers coming to their communities
As data centers pop up across the nation, Americans have significant concerns that span political and climate-related perspectives. Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images Regardless of their views on politics or climate change, most Americans oppose the development of data centers in their communities.
Data centers are large buildings filled with computers that store and process digital information, often to support applications of artificial intelligence (AI). These facilities are being built rapidly across the United States, with 56% of Americans opposing their development in their local communities, according to a 2026 survey of 1,068 adults. Data centers require massive amounts of electricity, which can lead to increased energy costs, air and water pollution, and noise. They also generate heat, requiring significant cooling systems. While they can bring economic benefits like jobs and investments, their environmental and public health impacts are major concerns. In early September 2026, Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey issued an executive order requiring local approval for data center permits, highlighting growing scrutiny of these projects.
Opposition to data centers in local communities is widespread across the political spectrum. A 2026 survey found that 56% of Americans oppose having a data center built nearby, while only 15% support it. This opposition is not limited to one political group: about three-quarters of liberal Democrats and half of conservative Republicans oppose local data centers. The survey, conducted by Yale Program on Climate Change Communication and George Mason University, also revealed that opposition is high among those most worried about climate change (71% of the Alarmed group) and those who reject climate change (Dismissive group). These findings suggest that concerns about data centers transcend political and ideological divides.
A majority of Americans (59%) expect their electricity bills to increase if a data center opens in their area, while only 5% believe their bills would decrease. This concern is shared across political groups and views on climate change. The worry stems from the high energy demands of data centers, which can strain local power grids. Agreements between power companies and data center owners often lack clarity on who bears the cost of generating the required electricity, making it difficult to assess fairness. In response, some states and utility companies are exploring ways to prevent data center costs from being passed on to other customers, as outlined in a 2026 report on rate designs for large loads.
Americans strongly support requiring data centers to offset their electricity use by installing rooftop solar panels and helping to weatherize nearby homes. This proposal, advocated by the group Rewiring America, aims to generate new electricity and save energy without building new power plants. The idea has broad support across the political spectrum and among different views on climate change, except for the Dismissive group, which tends to oppose renewable energy development. Only 42% of the Disengaged group—a category that pays little attention to climate change—could predict the impact on their electricity bills, with 43% expecting higher costs and 42% unsure.
As data centers expand, local communities and state governments are taking action to address concerns. In Vermont, towns are banning data centers in the absence of state regulations, while Massachusetts has implemented a moratorium requiring local approval for new projects. These debates are influencing zoning and permitting decisions nationwide. The issue has reached state lawmakers, with some considering stricter regulations or moratoriums. Policymakers, developers, and community leaders are increasingly focused on balancing the economic benefits of data centers with their environmental and public health impacts, as public opinion plays a growing role in shaping their expansion.
