Politicians aim to distance themselves from data centers

Politicians aim to distance themselves from data centers

As public pushback to data centers boils over, politicians on both sides of the aisle are racing to distance themselves from the controversial facilities.

Key swing state candidates are scrambling to endorse stricter data center policies — and accusing their opponents of being too cozy with the industry — as Americans become increasingly hostile to the rapid build-out of AI infrastructure.

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro (D), who once touted data center investments in the Keystone State, signed an order Tuesday implementing new requirements for developers to cover electricity costs and secure local approval for projects.

Former Rep. Mike Rogers (R-Mich.), the GOP candidate in Michigan’s Senate race, announced Thursday that he is backing a one-year state moratorium on new data centers.

Former Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), the Democratic candidate in Ohio’s Senate race, is going after Sen. Jon Husted (R) over the incumbent’s record on data centers in the Buckeye State. The National Republican Senatorial Committee recently issued an internal memo warning that “data centers are the anchor hanging around Husted’s neck.”

Aru Shiney-Ajay, executive director of the progressive Sunrise Movement, told The Hill that during her canvassing in Michigan and Wisconsin, she has talked to voters who “are flipping their party affiliation because of the importance of data centers.”

Tech companies are pushing to build scores of new centers to fuel the development of artificial intelligence, which requires vast amounts of computing power.

But in the face of growing concerns about electricity costs, water usage and other environmental impacts, public opinion has soured.

A Fox News poll released in late July found that 70 percent of voters oppose the building of a data center in their area to support AI, with 78 percent in support of slowing construction to address environmental and community concerns.

Voter concerns appear to have shifted the political calculus for officials from both parties who previously embraced data centers.

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