Story perspectives

Majority backs limits on new data centers, poll finds

By Drooid · Sep 17, 2026, 3:42 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

U.S. adults favor caps on new data centers, with about six-in-ten supporting limits.
Eight-in-ten Democrats and 56% of Republicans back requiring data centers to use wind or solar power.
Overall, 53% of Americans are extremely or very concerned about AI’s environmental impact, up from 41% last year.
Data centers could consume 11.8% of U.S. electricity by 2030, according to Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.

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Story summary

U.S. adults favor caps on new data centers, with about six-in-ten supporting limits.
Eight-in-ten Democrats and 56% of Republicans back requiring data centers to use wind or solar power.
Overall, 53% of Americans are extremely or very concerned about AI’s environmental impact, up from 41% last year.
Data centers could consume 11.8% of U.S. electricity by 2030, according to Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.