CONNECT WITH US
AI & Deeptech

AI & Deeptech

AI data center boom faces backlash at US ballot box

IndiaTimes (ET) - AI logo

Published on

Add as a preferred source on Google
AI data center boom faces backlash at US ballot box

Business News Tech AI AI data center boom faces backlash at US ballot box

Resistance is especially visible in Ohio, one of the country's fastest-growing data center markets. No state has more data center-related ballot measures, with voters in more than a dozen jurisdictions set to consider 21 proposals alongside Tuesday's midterm elections, according to the nonpartisan research group Ballotpedia.

Voters in 10 US states will decide on Election Day whether to curb data center development in their communities, as the rapid buildout needed to power the AI boom stirs local opposition. Resistance is especially visible in Ohio, one of the country's fastest-growing data center markets. No state has more data center-related ballot measures, with voters in more than a dozen jurisdictions set to consider 21 proposals alongside Tuesday's midterm elections, according to the nonpartisan research group Ballotpedia. Voters in 38 local jurisdictions will consider at least 41 measures that would delay, prohibit or impose new requirements on data centers, the sprawling facilities that provide the computing power required to run AI applications. Most states require petition drives or other demonstrations of public support before measures can qualify for the ballot, and their appearance reflects growing data center opposition across the political spectrum.

Support for banning construction of certain data centers is coming from both Democrats and Republicans, said local organizer Jessica Baker. " Baker, who is part of the advocacy group Conserve Ohio, said concerns about data centers' electricity and water demands are driving the opposition. Even if developers generate their own power through gas turbines or nuclear reactors, many residents still do not want the facilities built near their communities because they are worried about health risks to their kids, such as asthma, she said.


Source link
Related Topics:AI & Deeptech

Disclaimer

We strive to uphold the highest ethical standards in all of our reporting and coverage. We TheMorningPulse.fyi want to be transparent with our readers about any potential conflicts of interest that may arise in our work. It's possible that some of the investors we feature may have connections to other businesses, including competitors or companies we write about. However, we want to assure our readers that this will not have any impact on the integrity or impartiality of our reporting. We are committed to delivering accurate, unbiased news and information to our audience, and we will continue to uphold our ethics and principles in all of our work. Thank you for your trust and support.