Bipartisan community groups across the United States are disrupting AI data center construction over resource concerns. Massive energy and water consumption requirements are straining local resources and increasing utility rates. Residents also cite noise pollution and the industrial scale of facilities near residential zones as primary drivers for the backlash.
This resistance has delayed, blocked, or canceled billions of dollars in planned data center projects. Local and state governments are responding with new zoning restrictions and construction moratoriums.
These developments threaten the infrastructure expansion plans of Microsoft, Google, Amazon, Meta, and Oracle. These companies require these facilities to power their AI and cloud growth.