US towns block data center expansion amid growing anti‑data center activism

Anti‑data center activists have secured bans in several U.S. cities, including Holyoke, Massachusetts; Monterey Park, California; and Seattle, Washington. In Festus, Missouri, half the city council was ousted after approving a $6 billion data‑center project. Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs signed a state budget that imposes a three‑year moratorium on tax breaks for data centers following intense lobbying from both sides.

In Maine, Governor Janet Mills vetoed a statewide data‑center moratorium, prompting municipalities such as Scarborough, Sanford and Westbrook to adopt temporary bans while the state evaluates grid impacts. A UMass Lowell poll showed 72 % of Mainers oppose a local data center, and a Gallup poll nationwide found 71 % would reject one in their area. Similar resistance appeared in El Paso, Texas, where a council vote kept a proposed Meta data center from being revoked.

Activists cite concerns over electricity costs, water usage, and broader social risks, while industry leaders argue the measures threaten AI‑related economic growth.