The technology media outlet The Information published a blog post yesterday (August 10), reporting that public opposition to building AI data centers in the United States continues to grow. A survey found that more than 70% of Americans oppose AI data centers.
The outlet analyzed legal documents published by state governments across the United States and local news reports, noting that the number of bans on building new data centers across the country surged to more than 500 in July 2026, compared with more than 300 such bans in June this year.
The report said that most U.S. residents strongly oppose building data centers near their communities, with more than 70% of Americans opposing AI data centers. Since 2026, at least 37 people have been arrested for opposing data center construction. Relevant screenshots are shown below:
Local community residents' opposition has mainly focused on three areas: noise, water and electricity, and the environment. They are concerned that the noise generated by continuously operating data centers will disrupt people's normal lives, drive up local water and electricity prices, and affect the local ecosystem.
The report said that nearly three-quarters of the bans on new data centers announced in July were located in the U.S. South, including Georgia and Florida. New York Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul recently signed an executive order suspending approval of data center projects with power consumption of 50 megawatts or more. Massachusetts and Nebraska have stopped providing tax incentives to developers.
