{"id":1004799406,"date":"2026-05-21T02:43:58","date_gmt":"2026-05-21T10:43:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.commercialsearch.com\/news\/?p=1004799406"},"modified":"2026-06-02T05:26:22","modified_gmt":"2026-06-02T13:26:22","slug":"how-significant-is-the-backlash-against-data-centers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.commercialsearch.com\/news\/how-significant-is-the-backlash-against-data-centers\/","title":{"rendered":"How Significant Is the Backlash Against Data Centers?"},"content":{"rendered":"
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3D server racks creating a data center corridor. Image by tiero\/AdobeStock<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

There\u2019s a growing pushback against AI-driven data center development across the U.S. as local, state and federal government officials grapple with concerns raised by residents about potential electricity rate increases, water shortages, expensive tax breaks, noise and air pollution problems. The backlash has resulted in a slew of enacted and proposed building moratoriums and policy changes.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Calling the pushback \u201ca pretty recent phenomenon,\u201d Sean Farney, JLL’s vice president of data center strategy for the Americas, told Commercial Property Executive<\/em> there may be \u201csome fear, uncertainty and doubt around AI and perhaps this negative perception that AI will take jobs away, when the opposite is true.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Farney and others say there are misperceptions and misinformation surrounding data centers, particularly regarding impacts on electricity rates and water usage. Many officials say that is why they need more time to research how data centers will affect their communities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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READ ALSO<\/strong>: Who\u2019s Funding the Data Center Boom?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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On a federal level, Sen. Bernie Sanders and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez introduced the Artificial Intelligence Data Center Moratorium Act in March that would stop new construction or upgrades to data centers with power demand of 20 megawatts or more. The bill calls for requirements to protect residential ratepayers and the environment. It would give communities the right to decide on projects and curtail government subsidies. Earlier that month, big tech companies like Amazon, Google, Meta, Microsoft, Oracle and OpenAI signed a \u201cratepayer protection pledge\u201d at the White House, stating they would pay their own power and grid integration costs.<\/p>\n\n\n

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There is misinformation surrounding data centers, according to Farney. Image courtesy of JLL<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

More than 300 data center-related bills were proposed in over 30 states this year. At least 14 states considered data center moratoriums<\/a>: Georgia, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New York, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Vermont, Virginia and Wisconsin, the National Conference of State Legislatures reported.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maine was set to be the first state to enact a temporary ban after the legislature agreed to an 18-month moratorium on data centers over 20 megawatts. But Gov. Janet Mills vetoed the bill because it didn\u2019t provide an exception for a facility at a shuttered paper mill. She argued it would create more than 800 construction jobs and 100 high-paying permanent jobs as well as contribute substantial property tax revenues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Voters in Ohio, home to about 200 data centers, may see a proposed ban on the November ballot if enough signatures are collected by July 1. The amendment would prohibit data centers requiring 25 megawatts or more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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