The Battle Over Data Centers is Heating Up, and It’s Not Just About Tech Anymore
November 14, 2025
Imagine a quiet suburban neighborhood suddenly facing the prospect of a massive data center moving in next door. For many communities across the U.S., this isn’t just a hypothetical scenario—it’s a growing reality. And the backlash is fierce. A new report reveals that local resistance to data centers has skyrocketed, with communities from Georgia to Indiana leading the charge. But here’s where it gets controversial: while these facilities promise economic growth and jobs, residents are increasingly concerned about their environmental impact, soaring utility bills, and the perception that tech giants aren’t paying their fair share. And this is the part most people miss: it’s not just a left-wing issue—opposition is bipartisan, with both Democrats and Republicans voicing their concerns.
On Election Day, Peter Hubbard, a Democratic candidate, secured a surprising victory in Georgia’s Public Service Commission race. His win wasn’t just about party politics; it was a response to years of frustration over rising utility costs and the growing presence of data centers. During his campaign, Hubbard noticed a recurring theme among voters: affordability was their top concern, but data centers were a close second. Residents worried about these facilities consuming vast amounts of water, electricity, and land without contributing proportionally in taxes.
Georgia has become a hotspot for data center development, thanks in part to generous tax incentives. But it’s also emerged as a focal point for resistance. According to a report by Data Center Watch, a project by AI security firm 10a Labs, community opposition to data centers is on the rise nationwide. From March to June 2025 alone, opposition blocked or delayed a staggering $98 billion in data center projects—a sharp escalation compared to previous periods. For context, their earlier report found that $64 billion in projects were impacted between May 2024 and March 2025.
One high-profile example is a $17 billion data center development in the Atlanta suburbs, which was put on hold in May after Coweta County imposed a 180-day moratorium following intense local pushback. This isn’t an isolated incident. In Virginia, the proposed Prince William Digital Gateway, which would place over 30 data centers near a national reserve, faced legal challenges from homeowners. A judge temporarily halted the project in August, though the ruling was later stayed, allowing construction to resume.
But why the sudden surge in opposition? Miquel Vila, author of the Data Center Watch report, acknowledges that the boom in data center construction naturally invites more scrutiny. However, he points to a turning point: nearly 50,000 signatures on petitions opposing specific projects in just three months. “Before, resistance was a possibility,” Vila says. “Now, it seems almost inevitable that someone will organize against a new data center.”
Politicians are taking notice. In Virginia, governor-elect Abigail Spanberger vowed to make data centers “pay their own way” for power. John McAuliff, a former Biden climate adviser, won his election largely on a platform opposing data centers. Even in Loudoun County, Virginia, which boasts the highest concentration of data centers globally, State Delegate Josh Thomas has introduced bills to curb their expansion. His reelection campaign highlighted these efforts, though his opponent criticized him for not going far enough.
Here’s the kicker: this isn’t a partisan issue. While Hubbard and Thomas are Democrats, Republican figures like Sen. Josh Hawley and Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene have also spoken out against data centers. Greene recently urged constituents to “pay close attention to local approvals of data centers and demand your water and energy bills be protected!!!”
The industry, however, paints a different picture. Dan Diorio of the Data Center Coalition emphasizes the economic benefits: hundreds of thousands of jobs, billions in investment, and significant tax revenue. In 2023 alone, U.S. data centers supported 4.7 million jobs and contributed $162 billion in taxes. Yet, critics argue that these benefits often come at the expense of local communities, who bear the brunt of increased utility costs and environmental strain.
So, what’s next? Despite growing opposition, the data center boom shows no signs of slowing. Big tech companies like Meta plan to invest hundreds of billions in AI infrastructure, including data centers. But as Thomas puts it, “People are a lot more cost-conscious now.” With legislators like him pushing for reform, the question remains: can communities and tech giants find common ground, or will this battle escalate further?
What do you think? Are data centers worth the cost, or is the opposition justified? Let us know in the comments.
