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On Facebook and Instagram, Political Ads Are Increasingly Critical of Data Centers
Pew says 57% of October ads about data centers opposed them, as advertisers framed the issue around power, water, taxes and jobs.
- On Election Day, voters in 10 states will decide whether to curb data center development in their communities as rapid facility buildout powering the AI boom stirs local opposition.
- Concerns about heavy electricity and water demands drive the opposition, with residents citing potential health risks to children and infrastructure strain as primary reasons for their pushback.
- Across 38 local jurisdictions, voters will consider at least 41 measures to delay or restrict facilities. In Sunbury, Ohio, a proposal could derail Amazon's proposed $2 billion data center development.
- Super PACs like Tomorrow Together launched $4 million in ads regarding data center safety, while an Amazon spokesperson said the company remains "focused on working with local residents and officials to build data centers."
- Data center capacity under construction increased 48 percent between December 2025 and June 2026, according to John McWilliams of Cushman and Wakefield, suggesting local pushback has not meaningfully slowed industry expansion.
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In the USA, too, the population in many places opposes the construction of huge, energy-eating AI data centers. This puts pressure on the Republicans in particular in front of the Midterms.
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Berks Weekly - Local News, Entertainment, Traffic, Weather, Sports
Berks Weekly - Local News, Entertainment, Traffic, Weather, SportsWho hates data centers more? It’s a question at the center of one of Pa.’s critical legislative races
By Kate Huangpu Spotlight PA is an independent, nonpartisan, and nonprofit newsroom producing investigative and public-service journalism that holds power to account and drives positive change in Pennsylvania. Sign up for our free newsletters.
Coverage Details
Total News Sources149
Leaning Left25Leaning Right15Center59Last UpdatedBias Distribution60% Center
Bias Distribution
- 60% of the sources are Center
60% Center
L 25%
C 60%
15%
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