ギャラップ社の最新の世論調査によると、71％の米国人が自身の居住地域におけるAIデータセンターの建設に反対していることが明らかになった。この調査は、同施設が消費する膨大な電力や水に対する広範な懸念を浮き彫りにしている。
この調査はギャラップ社がこのテーマについて初めて実施したもので、回答者の半数近くがこうしたプロジェクトに対して強い反対姿勢を示している。反対理由の筆頭には環境への影響が挙げられ、騒音、汚染、地域インフラへの影響に対する懸念がそれに続いている。対照的に、原子力発電所に対する反対意見はそれよりも少なく、同調査によれば53％にとどまっている。
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On March 4, 2026, leading tech firms including Amazon, Google, Meta, Microsoft, OpenAI, Oracle, and xAI signed the non-binding Ratepayer Protection Pledge at the White House, committing to fund new power generation and infrastructure for AI data centers to shield consumers from rising electricity bills. President Trump hailed it as a 'historic win,' but critics question its enforceability amid growing environmental and economic concerns.
A new POLITICO poll shows Americans increasingly view data centers as a future campaign topic, though opinions remain fluid. Lawmakers in both parties are pushing for regulations on AI use and data center growth amid concerns over energy and resources. States like Florida and New York are leading efforts to address these issues.
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Nearly half of planned US data centers for this year risk delays or cancellation due to import issues from China, exacerbated by tariffs. Community opposition is fueling moratoriums, with Maine poised to halt new construction until 2027. These hurdles challenge President Trump's push for rapid AI infrastructure buildout.
Voters in Royalton, Vermont, approved a five-year moratorium on constructing AI and cryptocurrency data centers during the town's annual meeting on March 3, 2026. The decision addresses environmental concerns over the facilities' high energy and water demands. The town's Planning Commission will now draft the policy for further approval.
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Google is constructing a new data center in Texas that employs advanced air-cooling technology to minimize water usage. The facility will restrict water consumption primarily to essential operations such as kitchens. This initiative aligns with the company's broader $40 billion investment in the state over two years.
A massive data center proposed for Imperial Valley, California, would require 750,000 gallons of water daily, raising fears among local residents about rising costs and shortages. Developer Sebastian Rucci plans to complete the 330-megawatt facility by 2028, but it faces lawsuits and regulatory hurdles. The project is one of 24 data centers set to open in the state by 2030.
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Arizona faces severe water shortages from the drying Colorado River and depleting aquifers, yet tech companies continue building data centers and chip factories. Facilities like those from Microsoft, Meta, and TSMC have expanded rapidly, raising concerns about water use. However, current data shows their impact on the state's water supply remains limited.