Blab Politics
Poll Finds Majority Oppose Local Data Centers, Even as AI Pushes Rapid Expansion
A new Reuters/Ipsos poll released on June 11 shows that only one‑in‑three Americans approve of the fast pace of data‑center construction that underpins artificial intelligence (AI) development, while a majority would oppose a new facility in their own community. The findings come as the Trump administration accelerates permitting for AI‑related infrastructure and as the November 3 midterm elections approach.
The six‑day survey, which interviewed 4,531 respondents nationwide, closed on Monday. It asked whether respondents agreed that building data centers at a rapid pace is mainly a good thing. Only 33 % answered “yes,” whereas 64 % said “no.” Support for rapid construction was slightly higher among Republicans (about 40 %) than among Democrats (about 25 %). When asked whether they would oppose a data center being built in their own community, 57 % said “yes,” including two‑thirds of Democrats and half of Republicans. Only 14 % said they would be comfortable with a center nearby.
The poll’s results mirror a broader unease about the data‑center boom. According to Cleanview, a research firm that tracks data‑center projects, there are 710 facilities currently operating in the United States and 1,062 projects slated for construction. AI algorithms require vast amounts of electricity, water, and land, yet the projects rarely create long‑term jobs. The same poll found that 77 % of respondents—across party lines—were worried that AI would drive up electricity prices.
The Trump administration has made rapid AI development a priority, citing China as a competitive rival. In March 2026 the president unveiled a national legislative framework for AI, and in June the administration issued an executive order directing federal agencies to accelerate permitting for infrastructure tied to the sector. The policy has been criticized for its emphasis on speed over local concerns.
Local opposition is already evident. In Indianapolis, the Metropolitan Development Commission is reviewing a $2 billion data‑center proposal from developer DC Blox on the city’s east side. The project faced vocal opposition at a packed hearing in April. One respondent, 65‑year‑old Republican Mark Thompkins from Hancock County, said, “That is extremely concerning for me. My electric bills are high as it is.” Another, 72‑year‑old Republican Loren Smith of South Bend, expressed worry about the pace of construction and the lack of transparency from developers and officials about tax incentives.
State‑level action is also on the horizon. Fourteen states have either considered or are considering a moratorium on new data‑center projects. The growing public concern has become a campaign issue for some Democrats. Progressive Senate candidate Graham Platner of Maine, for example, has highlighted the risk that data centers could raise electricity costs, a message that could resonate with voters who have seen gasoline prices exceed $4 per gallon for more than two months.
The poll also revealed that half of Americans fear AI could put them or someone in their household out of work, underscoring the broader anxieties about how the rapid expansion of AI could reshape the labor market.
In short, the data‑center debate is a flashpoint in the run‑up to the midterms. The Trump administration’s push for rapid construction is meeting widespread public opposition, both at the national level and in local communities. States are weighing moratoria, local governments are holding hearings, and candidates are using the issue to appeal to voters concerned about energy costs and job security. The next few months will likely see a mix of federal permitting actions, state‑level policy proposals, and campaign messaging that reflects the public’s unease.
The situation remains fluid. Federal agencies may continue to expedite permits, while state legislatures could enact moratoria or new regulations. Local governments will likely hold additional public hearings, and candidates may adjust their platforms in response to polling data. As the midterm election approaches, the data‑center issue will remain a key point of contention for voters, politicians, and industry stakeholders alike.
The six‑day survey, which interviewed 4,531 respondents nationwide, closed on Monday. It asked whether respondents agreed that building data centers at a rapid pace is mainly a good thing. Only 33 % answered “yes,” whereas 64 % said “no.” Support for rapid construction was slightly higher among Republicans (about 40 %) than among Democrats (about 25 %). When asked whether they would oppose a data center being built in their own community, 57 % said “yes,” including two‑thirds of Democrats and half of Republicans. Only 14 % said they would be comfortable with a center nearby.
The poll’s results mirror a broader unease about the data‑center boom. According to Cleanview, a research firm that tracks data‑center projects, there are 710 facilities currently operating in the United States and 1,062 projects slated for construction. AI algorithms require vast amounts of electricity, water, and land, yet the projects rarely create long‑term jobs. The same poll found that 77 % of respondents—across party lines—were worried that AI would drive up electricity prices.
The Trump administration has made rapid AI development a priority, citing China as a competitive rival. In March 2026 the president unveiled a national legislative framework for AI, and in June the administration issued an executive order directing federal agencies to accelerate permitting for infrastructure tied to the sector. The policy has been criticized for its emphasis on speed over local concerns.
Local opposition is already evident. In Indianapolis, the Metropolitan Development Commission is reviewing a $2 billion data‑center proposal from developer DC Blox on the city’s east side. The project faced vocal opposition at a packed hearing in April. One respondent, 65‑year‑old Republican Mark Thompkins from Hancock County, said, “That is extremely concerning for me. My electric bills are high as it is.” Another, 72‑year‑old Republican Loren Smith of South Bend, expressed worry about the pace of construction and the lack of transparency from developers and officials about tax incentives.
State‑level action is also on the horizon. Fourteen states have either considered or are considering a moratorium on new data‑center projects. The growing public concern has become a campaign issue for some Democrats. Progressive Senate candidate Graham Platner of Maine, for example, has highlighted the risk that data centers could raise electricity costs, a message that could resonate with voters who have seen gasoline prices exceed $4 per gallon for more than two months.
The poll also revealed that half of Americans fear AI could put them or someone in their household out of work, underscoring the broader anxieties about how the rapid expansion of AI could reshape the labor market.
In short, the data‑center debate is a flashpoint in the run‑up to the midterms. The Trump administration’s push for rapid construction is meeting widespread public opposition, both at the national level and in local communities. States are weighing moratoria, local governments are holding hearings, and candidates are using the issue to appeal to voters concerned about energy costs and job security. The next few months will likely see a mix of federal permitting actions, state‑level policy proposals, and campaign messaging that reflects the public’s unease.
The situation remains fluid. Federal agencies may continue to expedite permits, while state legislatures could enact moratoria or new regulations. Local governments will likely hold additional public hearings, and candidates may adjust their platforms in response to polling data. As the midterm election approaches, the data‑center issue will remain a key point of contention for voters, politicians, and industry stakeholders alike.
