Pushback against data center development has intensified in recent weeks as states and localities move to restrict or halt new construction amid concerns about the industry’s impacts, according to Yardi. Opposition has been driven by concerns ranging from resource consumption and higher utility bills to tax incentives and pollution.
A recent Gallup poll cited by Yardi found that 70 percent of Americans would strongly or somewhat oppose construction of a data center in their area. Public resistance has prompted a range of responses, including proposed or enacted moratoriums, crowded town halls, and political pressure on local elected officials.
Yardi noted that opposition is emerging across the political spectrum, with states including New York, Pennsylvania and Texas taking steps to restrict or review new data center development. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul approved a one-year moratorium on hyperscale data center development while regulators develop a framework to add
