Data Center Construction Boom Faces Local Resistance In 28 States

The US needs to build more data centers to power cloud computing and win the AI race with China, according to Energy Secretary Chris Wright. However, estimating the number of data centers is difficult, with various sources reporting different numbers. Despite the uncertainty, the US is believed to have five to 10 times more data centers than any other country, including China. The need to build more data centers is considered an existential threat to the US, along with Iran's development of a nuclear weapon. The projected energy demand for data centers is expected to triple by 2028, according to the Department of Energy. This has led to a data center building spree, with over 4,750 projects expected to break ground in 2025. However, there is no single-source registry documenting proposed data centers, leading to opposition from local communities. Many local groups are organizing to block data center construction and expansion, citing concerns such as electricity demand, noise, and property devaluation. Despite the national importance of data centers, local residents are resistant to having them in their backyard, with 93% of respondents agreeing that AI data centers are important, but only 35% willing to vote for construction in their hometown. The backlash against data centers is bipartisan, with locals opposing projects despite enthusiasm for AI, making data centers the new not-in-my-backyard flashpoint.