US data center backlash stalls $130 billion in projects

Communities across the United States are mounting organized opposition to new data center developments, citing concerns over noise, high electricity use, and water consumption. In the first quarter of 2026, at least 75 proposed projects worth roughly $130 billion were halted or delayed, according to data from Data Center Watch.

Local actions include recall petitions against elected officials who approved projects, such as the efforts in Lenox Township, Michigan; Festus, Missouri; and Yukon, Oklahoma. Residents are also demanding moratoriums and filing open‑record requests to increase transparency.

In Warren County, Virginia, a planning‑commission meeting held at the county high school attracted 130‑150 residents, with 109 speakers voicing opposition to a proposed data center on Rockland Road. The commission unanimously recommended denying the text amendment that would have allowed the facility, sending the recommendation to the Board of Supervisors.

Data centers are energy‑intensive—one can consume as much power as 2,000 homes and use up to 5 million gallons of water daily—raising worries about utility costs and environmental strain as the AI industry expands.