More from All the latest updates on AI data centers
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AI data center projects are continuing to pop up across the US, with frequent opposition from locals concerned about their impact. Here are a few recent articles about the projects:
- CPR News: Weld County officials approve construction of what could be the largest data center in the state
- Los Angeles Times: Rural America’s data center boom hits a wall of local resistance
- Live 5 News WCSC: Colleton County approves controversial data center rules despite pushback
- WDBJ7: Roanoke citizens question potential data center plans in potential land development
AI data center projects are continuing to pop up across the US, with frequent opposition from locals concerned about their impact. Here are a few recent articles about the projects:
- CNBC: AI data centers are transforming rural land markets — and fueling a backlash
- Maryland Matters: Across Chesapeake Bay region, data centers are starting to face bans, moratoriums
- NBC10 Boston: Healey announces new regulations on data center development in Mass.
- The State: Almost a third of SC counties considered temporary data center ban. Here’s where

If you want to know what the data center occupation looks like, visit sleepy Loudoun County, Virginia.
Data center developers typically have to apply for permits to install generators that create local air pollution. The DataOne facility in New Jersey is the latest project accused of violating federal law by running on gas-fired generators without approval.
AI data center projects are continuing to pop up across the US, with frequent opposition from locals concerned about their impact. Here are a few recent articles about the projects:
The Wall Street Journal and Bloomberg report that Chris Malone, a “key executive” leading OpenAI’s massive build-out plans, left the company last week. The WSJ reports that Malone, who held similar roles at Meta and Google before joining OpenAI in early 2025, had previously reported directly to OpenAI president and cofounder Greg Brockman, but that changed earlier this year amid other reshuffling.
It’s Greg Brockman’s OpenAI now
Proposals for new gas-fired power capacity tied to data centers nearly doubled in the first half of 2026, according to a Global Energy Monitor report. Nearly a third of that new capacity would come online in Texas, more than in any other state or country.
The Wall Street Journal and New York Times are both reporting on politicians like Greg Abbott and Josh Shapiro suddenly bashing types of projects they once championed. The Washington Post has a chart showing how online posts about data centers from both Democrat and Republican politicians have shifted from being mostly positive in early 2025 to being mostly negative.
On Sunday, Abbott appeared on ABC’s This Week, saying that by moving too fast, the industry “…basically dug their own grave for the problem that’s been caused for them, and that’s why they got the backlash they deserve.”
AI data center projects are continuing to pop up across the US, with frequent opposition from locals concerned about their impact. Here are a few recent articles about the projects:
- CBS Austin: Taylor Planning Commission tables data center proposal for 90 days after pushback
- Fox 13 News: City council to revisit resolution regarding data centers in Spanish Fork after hours of public comment
- Louisville Public Media: Louisville Metro Council approves data center moratorium as new proposal sparks controversy
- WHYY: Pennsylvania Gov. Shapiro signs wide-ranging executive order reining in data center development
The news comes as part of OpenAI’s plans to lease an Ohio data center being built by SB Energy, a subsidiary of SoftBank. The deal will allow OpenAI to secure 8 gigawatts of capacity, with the first 800 megawatts expected to come online in 2028. Nvidia will also invest $1.5 billion in SB Energy.
AI data center projects are continuing to pop up across the US, with frequent opposition from locals concerned about their impact. Here are a few recent articles about the projects:
- Atlanta News First: Lovejoy data center proposal withdrawn after community pushback
- FlagerLive.com: Flagler County Echoes Surging Backlash Against Data Centers with One-Year Construction Ban
- MLive.com: Data-center developer sues Oakland County city
- Ohio Capital Journal: All candidates for Ohio governor have now called for restrictions on data center boom
- Spectrum News 1: Community opposition grows as Louisville weighs data center code changes

Data center bans in states like Florida reveal how the anti-AI movement is channeling bipartisan backlash.
AI data center projects are continuing to pop up across the US, with frequent opposition from locals concerned about their impact. Here are a few recent articles about the projects:
- CBS News: Pittsburg residents want city to pause data center project
- Maryland Matters: Amazon abandons plans for data center campus at Calvert Cliffs
- OPB: Oregon Gov. Kotek stops state from selling land for Salem data center
- Politico Magazine: Anger Over Data Centers Is Fueling a New Political Movement
Futurism made the tally. The publication also found 12 cases involving police intervention to try and stop protestors from “from confronting civic leaders,” though noted that the tally is “likely much higher.”
AI data center projects are continuing to pop up across the US, with frequent opposition from locals concerned about their impact. Here are a few recent articles about the projects:
- Data Center Dynamics: Developer withdraws plan to replace hotel with data center in El Segundo, California
- The Salt Lake Tribune: Utahns speak out as yet another data center is planned near the Great Salt Lake
- Wisconsin Watch: The public demanded data center news, and Wisconsin Watch is delivering
- Washington Examiner: DMV counties push for pause on data center construction in nation’s hot spot
“The last thing we need is a loud, water thieving, light polluting, data center anywhere near our town (or any others for that matter),” Nelson says.
The campus will be located in El Paso, Texas and is already under construction. It will have “1 gigawatt of compute capacity” and “will play an essential role in bringing Meta’s AI technologies to life.” BlackRock will own an 80 percent interest, while Meta will own a 20 percent interest.
The data center is expected to come online in 2028.













