# US AI Data Center Expansion and Growing Public Opposition > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/us-ai-data-center-electricity-cost-pledge > Updated: 2026-09-06T21:15:00.000Z. Sources: 97. Developments: 16. The push for U.S. AI leadership has become a central flashpoint in the 2026 midterm elections as public opposition to data centers surges. While the Trump administration continues to support the industry—defending its potential for job and tax revenue creation—political leaders are increasingly divided on how to manage rapid expansion. State-level restrictions have intensified. In Texas, Governor Greg Abbott issued a moratorium that has halted approximately 1,800 projects to protect local resources. Similarly, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro has issued executive orders to restrict expansion, following a one-year moratorium implemented by New York Governor Kathy Hochul earlier this year. On the federal level, progressive leaders including Senator Bernie Sanders and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez are advocating for federal safeguards through the ‘Artificial Intelligence Data Center Moratorium Act.’ This legislative push contrasts with views held by Senator John Fetterman, who has criticized the growing opposition as ‘political pandering,’ maintaining that AI supremacy is a national security necessity. Recent analysis suggests the backlash reflects a broader disillusionment with technology, as voters wary of job displacement and resource depletion increasingly question the rapid pace of change. This has prompted politicians to adjust stances regarding zoning laws, local control, and transparency. A growing contradiction remains between AI adoption and infrastructure resistance: while a Morning Consult survey found that 50.3 percent of American adults used an AI chatbot in July—a level of engagement comparable to TikTok—a Gallup poll indicates that 70 percent of Americans oppose the construction of data centers within their own communities. Donald Trump has reinforced his support for development, warning on Truth Social that resisting such projects risks making communities ‘backward and poor,’ comparing the technology to a ‘hen that lays golden eggs.’ ## Claims - A Gallup poll indicated 70 percent of Americans oppose data center construction in their neighborhoods. (disputed by 2 sources) - Recent polling indicates 75% of Americans oppose data center construction near their homes. (disputed by 2 sources) - Power plants that supply electricity only to data centers and are not connected to the public grid are not subject to the Clean Air Act’s Acid Rain Program. (corroborated by 4 sources) - The memo outlining the exemption was issued on July 16 by EPA Assistant Administrator Aaron Szabo. (corroborated by 3 sources) - The EPA believes the plain‑text definitions in the Clean Air Act exclude “islanded” facilities from the Acid Rain Program. (corroborated by 3 sources) - The exemption is intended to speed development of artificial‑intelligence infrastructure and reduce strain on regional electric grids. (corroborated by 3 sources) - The guidance supports President Donald Trump’s Ratepayer Protection pledge, which requires participating companies to cover all energy costs themselves. (corroborated by 3 sources) - The exemption applies only to the Acid Rain Program; other Clean Air Act provisions and state regulations still apply to islanded facilities. (corroborated by 3 sources) - President Donald J. Trump gathered electric utilities and state leaders to sign the Ratepayer Protection Pledge. (corroborated by 3 sources) - The Ratepayer Protection Pledge was signed by seven AI companies: Amazon, Google, Meta, Microsoft, OpenAI, Oracle and xAI. (corroborated by 3 sources) - President Donald Trump stated he would welcome data centers in his community due to job creation and tax revenue. (corroborated by 3 sources) - The scale of projects, evident economic costs, and an easily identifiable culprit have turned local conflicts into a national wave. (corroborated by 3 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-09-06: US elections face new tension over AI data center expansion Data center expansion for AI is becoming a key political battleground in the US, as local opposition over resource use and job displacement influences upcoming elections. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/us-elections-face-new-tension-over-ai-data-center-expansion ### 2026-09-05: United States faces divide over AI chatbot use and data center construction While over half of Americans now use AI chatbots, 70 percent oppose the construction of local data centers, creating a political divide over energy use and technological infrastructure. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/united-states-faces-divide-over-ai-chatbot-use-and-data-center-construction ### 2026-09-03: EPA proposes changes to data center permitting and wetland protections The EPA is proposing rules that could reduce public notice requirements for AI data center air permits and redefine federal wetland protections following a Supreme Court ruling. 11 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/epa-proposal-targets-public-notice-requirements-for-data-center-permits ### 2026-08-28: EPA moves to reduce air pollution oversight for data centers The EPA is proposing changes that would reduce federal air pollution oversight and public notification requirements for industrial sites, potentially allowing data centers to expand with less community input. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/epa-moves-to-reduce-air-pollution-oversight-for-data-centers ### 2026-08-25: EPA proposes rule to reduce public input on data center pollution permits The Trump administration is proposing an EPA rule to remove Clean Air Act requirements for public input on air pollution permits for data centers, potentially reducing community oversight. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/epa-proposes-rule-to-reduce-public-input-on-data-center-pollution-permits ### 2026-08-21: United States faces growing backlash against AI data centers US opposition to AI data centers is rising, with 75% of Americans opposing local construction. Lawmakers in Texas, New York, and Pennsylvania have implemented moratoriums or restrictions amid energy concerns. 18 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/data-center-development-faces-rising-us-public-opposition ### 2026-08-19: US Data Centers Face Growing Public Opposition and Political Backlash US data center expansion faces growing public opposition, with up to 75% of Americans resisting local construction due to concerns over utility costs, pollution, and resource usage. 12 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/trump-defends-ai-data-center-expansion-despite-public-opposition ### 2026-08-07: Donald Trump warns AI data centers could outgrow oil industry, urges US to beat China Donald Trump says AI data centers could surpass the oil industry, urges tax incentives, and warns the US must outpace China in AI and crypto. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/donald-trump-warns-ai-data-centers-could-outgrow-oil-industry-urges-us-to-beat-china ### 2026-07-31: Donald Trump expands data center pledge to curb AI power costs Donald Trump broadened a voluntary pledge urging tech firms to fund their own power for AI data centers; over 300 utilities and companies signed, but critics say it lacks enforcement and may not protect ratepym 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/donald-trump-expands-data-center-pledge-to-curb-ai-power-costs ### 2026-07-29: U.S. Administration Repurposes Federal Land for AI Data Centers and Exempts Them from Environmental Rules The U.S. repurposes federal land for a $100 billion AI data‑center hub and exempts data‑center power plants and rocket launches from environmental rules to boost AI and space competitiveness. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/us-administration-repurposes-federal-land-for-ai-data-centers-and-exempts-them-from-environmental-ru ### 2026-07-29: Trump Unveils Ratepayer Protection Pledge for AI Data Center Power Trump signed a Ratepayer Protection Pledge getting AI data‑center firms to pay electricity costs, with utilities like Georgia Power and Duke Energy pledging rate cuts and job creation. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/trump-unveils-ratepayer-protection-pledge-for-ai-data-center-power ### 2026-07-27: U.S. EPA Allows Data Center Power Plants to Bypass Pollution Rules EPA says isolated power plants serving only data centers can skip the Acid Rain Program, speeding AI‑related builds and backing Trump’s Ratepayer Protection pledge. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/us-epa-allows-data-center-power-plants-to-bypass-pollution-rules ### 2026-07-26: Donald Trump expands pledge to keep AI data center costs off US power bills Donald Trump broadened a pledge requiring AI data‑center operators and big‑tech firms to fund power infrastructure, aiming to prevent electricity cost hikes for US households; critics note weak enforcement. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/donald-trump-expands-pledge-to-keep-ai-data-center-costs-off-us-power-bills ### 2026-07-24: Tennessee Valley Authority joins Trump Ratepayer Protection Pledge TVA signs the Ratepayer Protection Pledge as the Trump administration expands the initiative to shield consumers from data‑center electricity cost hikes. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/tennessee-valley-authority-joins-trump-ratepayer-protection-pledge ### 2026-07-23: Alabama Power joins Trump's Ratepayer Protection pledge to block AI data‑center cost passes Alabama Power, owned by Southern Company, signed Trump's Ratepayer Protection Pledge, pledging not to pass AI data‑center costs to customers, with backing from Sen. Katie Britt. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/alabama-power-joins-trumps-ratepayer-protection-pledge-to-block-ai-datacenter-cost-passes ### 2026-07-22: Trump expands Ratepayer Protection Pledge to curb AI data‑center bills Trump’s expanded Ratepayer Protection Pledge adds governors and utilities, obliging AI data‑center operators to fund power upgrades, but critics say the non‑binding deal may not curb rising electricity bills. 31 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/trump-expands-pledge-to-curb-ai-datacenter-electricity-costs --- Cite as: US AI Data Center Expansion and Growing Public Opposition. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/us-ai-data-center-electricity-cost-pledge