Public Backlash Against Data Centres Influences US Midterm Elections

The BBC's Shaimaa Khalil reports from Arizona on residents' concerns regarding the expansion of data centres. A year ago, a US senator was not focused on data centres, but now, according to an adviser, he holds regular meetings to address their impact and is developing legislation to limit their rapid growth. This shift in attention is largely due to a rising public backlash against data centres, which are large facilities that support internet activity by housing computer processing power. Indiana resident Angelita Soriano expressed her concerns about a new Amazon data centre being built near her home, which will consist of 26 buildings and utilize 782 diesel-powered generators. In Ohio, a collaboration involving OpenAI, Nvidia, SB Energy, and the US Department of Energy plans to construct a data centre complex covering approximately six square miles. Currently, there are about 3,000 data centres in the US, with projections suggesting this number could double in the coming years, according to the Pew Research Center. Data centres are subject to local regulations, limiting federal influence over their development. However, the growing opposition has prompted politicians across the political spectrum to take a stance. Chloe Autio, an AI policy adviser, noted that both Democrats and Republicans face pressure to articulate clear positions on the issue. The backlash against data centres has put some politicians at odds with former President Donald Trump, who has criticized the opposition as a "sick conspiracy." Residents from various states have voiced their concerns about the size, noise, and environmental impacts of data centres. Community groups opposing data centres have increased significantly, with 833 groups reported in nearly every state. Polling indicates that AI regulation and data centres are significant issues for voters this election cycle. While proponents argue that data centres create local jobs, research from the Brookings Institution suggests that they generate fewer jobs than claimed and have little effect on local wages. Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs initially supported data centres but later enacted a three-year pause on tax breaks for such projects. Other politicians, including Abdul El Sayed in Michigan and candidates in Georgia and Ohio, have also adjusted their positions in response to public sentiment. The National Republican Senatorial Committee has acknowledged the need for Republicans to reframe their messaging on data centres. Texas, which has nearly 300 operational data centres, has seen Governor Greg Abbott shift his stance from promoting AI development to addressing safety and quality of life concerns. The political landscape surrounding data centres remains fluid, with temporary measures in place that may change as public opinion evolves. Balaji Tammabattula, CEO of Barupon, is facing community opposition to a new data centre project in Texas, highlighting the strong feelings residents have about such developments.