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More cities are pressing pause on data centers as local backlash grows
Communities are freezing new projects as a 2024 study estimated U.S. data centers used 4.4% of electricity and demand may rise to 12% by 2028.
- In recent weeks, cities and counties across the country have blocked planned data centers amid resident backlash over rising electricity prices and environmental harms.
- Local officials argue that municipalities need zoning rules before projects arrive to address residential concerns regarding energy costs, electricity usage, and nuisance issues.
- The Denver City Council approved a one-year moratorium this month, while Huron County in Michigan implemented a three-year pause, joining roughly 20 other Michigan communities that halted construction.
- A March Gallup poll found seven in 10 Americans would oppose nearby data center construction for artificial intelligence, higher than the 53% who would oppose living near a nuclear power plant.
- Researchers at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory estimated data centers used about 4.4% of U.S. electricity in 2023, with projected use rising to between 6.7% and 12% by 2028, though Cheyenne, Wyoming, recently rejected a moratorium.
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The Columbian+14 Reposted by 14 other sources
More cities are pressing pause on data centers as local backlash grows
Hearing backlash from residents, cities and counties across the country in recent weeks have blocked planned data centers amid concerns over rising electricity prices and environmental harms. Read more...
·Vancouver, United States
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources16
Leaning Left9Leaning Right2Center3Last UpdatedBias Distribution64% Left
Bias Distribution
- 64% of the sources lean Left
64% Left
L 64%
C 22%
14%
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