61% of Americans Reject Data Centers
Over 200 bans in 30 days as $130 billion in projects face fierce local opposition nationwide
Story timeline21 updates
EPA plans to scrap public comment requirement for data center permits.
Google invests $15.1 billion in AI infrastructure in Finland over two years.
President Trump signed a ratepayer protection pledge to ensure AI companies pay for their own electricity needs.
EPA to drop requirement for public notice of polluting datacenters.
EPA to drop requirement for public notice of polluting datacenters.
EPA to drop requirement for public notice of polluting datacenters.
EPA to drop requirement for public notice of polluting data centers.
EPA to drop requirement for public notice of polluting datacenters.
EPA to drop requirement for public notice of polluting data centers.
Congressman Ro Khanna introduces a Data Center Bill of Rights.
Congressman Ro Khanna introduces a Data Center Bill of Rights to regulate data center construction.
Congressman Ro Khanna introduces a Data Center Bill of Rights to regulate data center construction.
Congressman Ro Khanna introduces a Data Center Bill of Rights to regulate data center construction.
Congressman Ro Khanna introduces Data Center Bill of Rights.
Congressman Ro Khanna introduces a Data Center Bill of Rights, proposing a 2,500-foot buffer around homes, schools, and hospitals.
Congressman Ro Khanna introduces a Data Center Bill of Rights to regulate data center construction.
Congressman Ro Khanna introduces a 'Data Center Bill of Rights' to regulate data center construction.
Congressman Ro Khanna introduces a Data Center Bill of Rights with proposed restrictions on data center construction.
Congressman Ro Khanna introduces a 'Data Center Bill of Rights' to regulate data center construction.
Congressman Ro Khanna introduces a Data Center Bill of Rights to regulate data center construction.
Story published. Over 200 bans in 30 days as $130 billion in projects face fierce local opposition nationwide
Two data centers planned for Little Rock, Arkansas are fueling outrage over water and electricity consumption, and what critics describe as the appropriation of rural, Black-owned land for industrial purposes—part of a rapidly hardening national movement against hyperscale server farms.
The Little Rock projects reflect a dramatic shift in American public sentiment. A Gallup survey of 1,320 nationally representative U.S. adults conducted from June 16 to July 19, 2026, found that 61% of Americans oppose data center construction in their area. The opposition has become so intense that many respondents said they would prefer a nuclear power plant nearby instead.
The wave of restrictions
More than 200 data center bans and moratoriums took effect across the U.S. in the past 30 days alone, bringing the total number of active restrictions nationwide to more than 550. New York became the first state to enact a statewide moratorium last month, citing concerns over utility rates and public health impacts from the server farms. The state's ban specifically targets large hyperscale facilities capable of consuming at least 50 megawatts of power.
Texas governor Greg Abbott has also paused approvals for data center projects seeking access to the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) grid, pending a state audit of their connection requests.
Financial pressure mounting
The opposition is beginning to reshape the industry's economics. At least 75 data center projects worth roughly $130 billion faced local opposition during the first quarter of 2026. Lenders are now scrutinizing U.S. data center financing as community resistance builds, signaling that capital may become harder to secure for new projects.
Little Rock mayor Frank Scott Jr. noted that opposition to the two planned facilities has drawn support across the political spectrum. "I would say it's kind of the far left and the far right ran into each other and had a hug," he said. "But they come at it from different perspectives."
