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Communities push back on AI data centers
The gist
Local pushback halted or delayed roughly 75 US AI data center projects worth $130 billion in Q1 2026.
The opposition is now reshaping local politics and state legislation ahead of the midterms.
How it unfolded
- Mar 2026A Gallup survey found 70% of Americans oppose building an AI data center in their neighborhood, with 48% strongly opposed.
- Mar 202657% said President Trump has handled the issue of AI poorly, a 7-percentage-point increase since March of this year.
- Apr 2026A coalition led by the Center for Biological Diversity petitioned the Bay Area Air Quality Management District to strengthen oversight of diesel backup generators used at data centers.