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Data Centers Spark Populist Uprising Across US
25 Dec
Summary
- Data center construction spending has surged 331% since 2021.
- Activists cite environmental, AI, and rising electricity cost concerns.
- $64 billion in developments have been blocked or delayed by opposition.
A growing populist movement is challenging the unchecked expansion of data centers across the United States, a stark contrast to their previous anonymity. Activists are mobilizing in numerous states, with 142 groups in 24 states actively opposing new server farm developments. Their concerns encompass environmental impact, the ethical use of AI, and critically, the escalating local electricity bills attributed to this buildout.
The surge in data center construction is staggering, with spending increasing by 331% since 2021, totaling hundreds of billions of dollars. Major tech companies like Google and Meta are significantly increasing capital expenditures, while government initiatives, such as the Trump administration's Stargate Project, further accelerate AI infrastructure development. This rapid growth has thrust the once-invisible industry into public view, triggering significant backlash.
