Story perspectives

Most Americans Oppose New Data Centers Over Power Use

By Drooid · Oct 6, 2026, 1:47 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

U.S. communities oppose new data centers in their neighborhoods.
Most Americans express NIMBY sentiment toward data-center construction.
Steven Koonin, Hoover Institution Edward Teller Senior Fellow, examines data-center water and electricity use.
Koonin links rising AI demand to increased national electricity needs.
The U.S. Energy Department promotes a “golden age of nuclear energy.”

1 of 1

Story summary

U.S. communities oppose new data centers in their neighborhoods.
Most Americans express NIMBY sentiment toward data-center construction.
Steven Koonin, Hoover Institution Edward Teller Senior Fellow, examines data-center water and electricity use.
Koonin links rising AI demand to increased national electricity needs.
The U.S. Energy Department promotes a “golden age of nuclear energy.”