In Hanford, California, a growing community debate is unfolding over plans to develop data centers, reflecting a broader national backlash that is influencing political discourse ahead of the midterm elections. At a recent meeting held in a local church, about 100 residents expressed concerns about the environmental and public health impacts of such facilities, including potential increases in air pollution and strain on water resources.

Local resident Darian Orduno, 25, brought her newborn to the meeting while voicing worries about the effects of data centers on her child’s health and future in the area. Similar anxieties were echoed by others, such as retired teacher Lucy Gomez, who described the situation as frightening and likened residents to unwilling “guinea pigs.” These concerns highlight the heightened emotional response in a region already challenged by environmental and economic pressures.

Data centers, which house servers powering much of the internet and emerging technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), require substantial energy and water to maintain operations, particularly for cooling systems. According to a Pew Research Center analysis, over 1,500 new data centers are currently in development across the United States, primarily in rural regions including Central Valley, New York, Texas, and Virginia.

The issue has emerged as a politically charged topic, with candidates from both major parties responding differently. Democrats tend to frame opposition to data centers within broader affordability and environmental platforms, generally advocating for increased regulation. For example, Randy Villegas, the Democratic candidate in California’s 22nd District, has called for a moratorium on new data centers to allow for legislative oversight. Conversely, Republicans have had a more divided stance, balancing support for AI innovation—with prominent figures like former President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance emphasizing economic and industrial benefits—against rising public skepticism. Vance described resistance to data centers as a potential risk to American industrial competitiveness, while Trump criticized opposition as a backward stance.

Despite political divides, polling suggests a significant portion of the public shares concerns about data centers. A late August survey by The Economist and YouGov found that 61% of Americans would oppose a data center near their homes, including nearly half of Republican respondents. The apprehension encompasses worries about increased utility costs and environmental degradation, issues resonating across party lines.

At the local level, the proposed site in Hanford is part of a broader plan by developer Global Stack USA to establish small-scale “edge computing” centers on fairgrounds statewide, aiming to improve emergency infrastructure while providing financial benefits to these facilities. Global Stack CEO Dan Kang emphasized collaboration with communities and alignment with California’s resilience goals, although no formal proposals have been submitted yet. The project has also raised questions about jurisdiction since fairgrounds are state property, limiting the authority of local officials.

Environmental experts acknowledge that while smaller data centers like those proposed may consume fewer resources than larger facilities, their cumulative impact on power demand and air quality remains a legitimate concern. In response, California lawmakers recently passed legislation to regulate energy consumption within the data center industry.

As the midterm elections approach, data centers have become a focal point for voter sentiment, particularly in competitive districts like the 22nd. Residents from various age groups indicated that the issue could influence their voting decisions, with some leaning toward candidates perceived as more protective of public health and the environment. Others recognize the role of data centers in technological advancement but call for stronger regulatory frameworks to mitigate negative consequences.

This debate encapsulates broader tensions between economic development, technological progress, environmental sustainability, and community well-being, underscoring the complex challenges policymakers and voters face as data centers proliferate across the country.