AI Data Center Boom Sparks Backlash Across US Communities

Communities across the United States are pushing back against a boom in AI data center construction, citing concerns over electricity costs, water usage, noise, and a lack of transparency from local officials and tech companies. The backlash is most acute in rural areas like Red Oak, Texas, where residents oppose a massive proposed campus, and in Virginia and Arizona, where residents face surging power bills and water scarcity. Opposition to data centers is a rare bipartisan issue, with over 60% of Americans across the political spectrum saying they do not want one nearby. The industry is growing rapidly, with over 3,000 centers operating and 1,500 more proposed, driven by a race to develop artificial intelligence. Texas Governor Greg Abbott has paused new grid connections pending an audit, while some local officials have rejected tax rebate requests from major companies like Amazon.