The hottest new bipartisan issue

Americans are united in their opposition or skepticism of AI data centers

To those who say unifying the country is impossible, take note. Opposition to AI data centers is the "most bipartisan issue since beer."

Anger around data centers planned for dozens of cities and towns is palpable on both sides of the aisle. Polls shows 70+ of Americans oppose the massive energy centers the size of 32 football fields.

AI data centers are expected to raise electricity and water costs for the residents of the town or city. Homeowners near the sites are also, understandably, worried their property values will go down.

The out-of-state companies involved are being secretive in some cases—not alerting residents of their plans to enter their backyards. Such hubris, along with the price tag and environmental impacts, are getting all sorts of folks riled up.

The AI industry and others, including unions, claim jobs will be created with the construction and use of these massive facilities. It’s too early to know if that’s the case.

Many aren’t wanting to ban outright the data centers. They are instead pushing for guardrails and common sense regulations to make the centers better economic stewards, if not neighbors.

Takeaway: If you’re keeping track at home of the few (truly) bipartisan policy issues working their way through the country, add AI data centers to the list, which already includes a bipartisan consensus on the struggling economy and growing misinformation epidemic.

The hottest new bipartisan issue

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