A growing wave of opposition is emerging across the United States against the construction of large-scale data centers, which have become prominent symbols of the artificial intelligence (AI) boom. Communities from diverse political backgrounds are expressing concern over the environmental and economic impacts of these facilities, often voicing frustration with what they perceive as a lack of transparency and accountability from both corporate developers and local officials.

In Sand Springs, Oklahoma, residents like Kyle Schmidt, a flooring salesman and project manager, have mounted opposition to a planned Google data center located about a mile from their homes. Schmidt cited worries about the project’s effects on the local water supply, disruption to natural land, and a sense of powerlessness, accusing developers and officials of dismissing community concerns. “Data center developers discovered if we can sneak in here without anyone noticing, we can pretty much take what we want,” Schmidt said.

Recent surveys reflect broad skepticism: about 70% of Americans said they would oppose a data center near their residence. Experts and elected officials see this backlash as part of a wider dissatisfaction with economic and political systems perceived as favoring corporate interests. Utah Governor Spencer Cox described data centers as tangible expressions of public anxiety over AI and economic issues, noting that opposition to such projects has become an accessible cause for local activism.

Opposition transcends traditional political divides. Senators, activists, and municipalities on both conservative and liberal fronts have taken action. Senator Bernie Sanders has proposed banning data centers, while groups like Humans First, led by former Tea Party activist Amy Kremer, are organizing nationwide protests. Communities such as Hill County, Texas, which heavily supported Donald Trump in 2024, and Monterey Park, California, a predominantly Asian and Latino city, have enacted bans on data center construction.

Local political ramifications have emerged as well. In Ohio, Democratic Senate candidate Sherrod Brown has criticized his Republican opponent, Jon Husted, for recruiting data centers at the perceived expense of Ohio residents. In Festus, Missouri, city council members who approved data center projects were voted out. New York recently became the first state to impose a temporary moratorium on new large-scale data center construction amid mounting public pressure.

Historically welcomed by communities for promises of tax revenue and low-impact economic development, data centers have increasingly drawn criticism for their substantial consumption of electricity and water, and for contributing to rising utility bills. According to Scott Babwah Brennen, director of New York University’s Center on Technology Policy, resistance has grown sharply since 2025, resulting in about 65 state-level restrictions and numerous local development freezes.

Opponents say their resistance is not necessarily an indictment of AI technology itself. Schmidt, for example, uses AI as part of his community outreach. However, there is widespread skepticism over economic promises tied to data center projects. Critics worry these developments could replicate earlier cycles of resource extraction seen in states like West Virginia without delivering sustainable community benefits.

Environmental and civil rights advocates, including the NAACP, highlight concerns about the disproportionate impact of data centers on disadvantaged communities. Abre’ Conner, director of the NAACP Center for Environmental and Climate Justice, described the opposition as part of a broader movement of communities realizing their collective influence in the face of powerful economic actors.

Technology companies and industry proponents emphasize the necessity of data centers for modern digital infrastructure and maintaining U.S. competitiveness in AI relative to China. Google's representatives stressed their commitment to legal compliance and community engagement in Oklahoma. Meanwhile, some industry leaders attribute opposition to a combination of misinformation, foreign interference, and “Not In My Backyard” (NIMBY) attitudes, warning that widespread resistance could hinder national technological advancement.

Political scientists note that, unlike resistance to housing developments where concerns may be localized, opposition to data centers tends to reject such facilities in any community. The localized nature of land-use decisions allows relatively small groups to halt projects, even if the broader population might benefit. This dynamic, specialists say, increases the difficulty of balancing local concerns with regional or national priorities in the rapidly evolving AI landscape.