71% of Americans now say they would oppose a data center built near where they live, with 55% saying they “strongly” oppose such a project, according to polling by Heatmap Pro. That figure is up from 42% in August 2025, effectively doubling opposition in nine months, with an interim poll three months ago already showing 51%. The shift comes as data centers are increasingly blamed for higher electricity bills and water strain in their communities.<\/p>\n
Heatmap Pro polling shows local opposition has risen in steady steps: 42% in August 2025, 51% three months ago, and 71% in the latest survey. Of the latest figure, 55% say they “strongly” oppose nearby construction, suggesting the backlash is intensifying rather than softening.<\/p>\n
Data centers were the top reason survey participants gave for rising electricity costs, with 53% blaming the facilities, up from 28% nine months earlier. A separate Gallup survey conducted in May reached a similar conclusion, finding 70% of Americans opposed to local data center construction, up from 47% in late 2025. Water and energy consumption were the most-cited concerns in that poll, which also found respondents would rather live next to a nuclear power plant than a data center.<\/p>\n
Specific incidents have fueled those worries. Reports last year linked an Amazon data center to rare cancers and miscarriages in a nearby community. Georgia’s data center expansion has drawn complaints about water use, similar concerns have surfaced in Virginia, and a Fayette County construction site was reported to have used 29 million gallons of water without a single bill while residents complained of low water pressure.<\/p>\n
In March, following a call from President Trump, major technology companies including Google, Microsoft, Meta, Amazon, Oracle, OpenAI, and xAI signed a voluntary “ratepayer protection pledge” at the White House. The pledge committed those firms to covering the energy costs of their rapidly expanding AI data centers rather than passing those costs on to local electricity customers.<\/p>\n
Because the commitment is voluntary, enforcement is difficult. Federal and state regulators have begun moving regardless. FERC is preparing action on large-load interconnection rules, Congress has seen legislation that would require data centers to pay for grid upgrades, and several states and grid operators are advancing tougher requirements. Watchdogs have warned that surging AI data center demand is already helping push up wholesale power costs in some regions.<\/p>\n
Frustration over infrastructure is feeding into wider skepticism about AI. Layoffs attributed to automation and the proliferation of low-quality AI-generated content online have added to public discontent. The backlash has prompted some industry figures, including OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and at least one prominent economist, to push back against the narrative, with one recent claim that there is “zero evidence” of AI-related job losses. Altman has previously dismissed data center water-usage concerns as “fake,” before separately pointing to the large amount of energy required to “train a human.”<\/p>\n
71% of Americans say they would oppose a data center being built near where they live, with 55% saying they “strongly” oppose such a project, according to Heatmap Pro polling. A separate Gallup survey conducted in May found 70% opposed to local construction.<\/p>\n
Heatmap Pro polling put opposition at 42% in August 2025, 51% three months ago, and 71% in the latest survey. Gallup’s figure rose from 47% in late 2025 to 70% in May.<\/p>\n
Electricity costs, water use, and energy consumption are the most-cited concerns. 53% of Heatmap Pro respondents blamed data centers for rising electricity costs, and a separate Gallup survey found respondents would rather live next to a nuclear power plant than a data center.<\/p>\n