Data & Society: data center opposition grows out of distrust in AI

Nonprofit Data & Society published an 18-month ethnographic study of 44 Pennsylvania residents showing that opposition to data centers stems from rising power bills, falling property values and opaque developer tactics. In Q2 2026, local opponents disrupted data center projects worth $68 billion.

• Surveys show over 60% of Americans favor limiting new data centers
• Local opposition disrupted $68 billion in projects in Q2 2026
• Data Center Coalition spent at least $19,000 lobbying Pennsylvania last year
• Opposition spans environmental groups, AI critics and local interest advocates