A sweeping new analysis of public sentiment reveals that resistance to data center construction is intensifying across the United States. Data compiled by the American Sentiment website, operated by the San Francisco artificial intelligence startup Prophecy Gov, indicates that more than 90 percent of public submissions at local government meetings strongly oppose new data center developments. The database examined 10,202 public comments collected during 906 meetings across 417 local governments spanning 48 states.
Key takeaways
- Over 90 percent of public comments tracked in the new database express opposition to proposed data center developments.
- Water consumption, electricity costs, and environmental pollution remain the primary concerns for local residents.
- Opposition cuts across political lines, with Republican and Democratic counties showing almost identical levels of resistance.
- Union workers showed distinct support with 79 percent backing projects, contrasting sharply with local property owners.
Resource consumption and community divides
Local government meetings recorded overwhelming negativity, with only seven percent of submissions expressing support for new facilities. Another 2.5 percent consisted of questions about the proposed developments, and 73 percent of meetings recorded no expressions of support from residents whatsoever. Even in instances where favorable opinions emerged, opponents outnumbered supporters by approximately six to one.
Water consumption drew the most intense scrutiny from opponents, particularly following reports of heavy withdrawals by individual computing developments. One project reportedly consumed 29 million gallons in May 2026, prompting nearby residents to notice reduced pressure across their local water supplies. Microsoft subsequently claimed that its newer artificial intelligence facilities consume approximately the same annual water volume as restaurants. Despite these claims, public unease regarding resource allocation and local consequences remains high.
Cross-political friction and industry scrutiny
The resistance transcends traditional political affiliations, with Republican and Democratic counties recording almost identical levels of opposition. However, the nature of local concerns varied according to community characteristics. Rural residents frequently discussed farmland and property rights, while urban and suburban participants more commonly raised concerns involving pollution, electricity expenses, government accountability, and inadequate disclosure.
Public criticism also extended to major technology companies and their leadership. Google, Amazon, Meta, and Microsoft featured prominently during discussions about proposed developments. SpaceX and xAI chief executive Elon Musk received the most personal references, followed by OpenAI chief executive Sam Altman and Palantir co-founder Peter Thiel. Meta chief executive Mark Zuckerberg and Amazon founder Jeff Bezos followed closely behind in the recorded discussions.
Occupational splits and AI's role
Support for infrastructure projects varied considerably among occupational groups. Approximately 79 percent of commenters identifying as union workers supported data center construction, compared with just three percent of property owners and residents. Even among individuals employed directly in the data center industry, only 40 percent supported the construction of additional facilities. Interestingly, although artificial intelligence drove much of the broader industry attention, only 21 percent of public submissions explicitly mentioned AI, meaning most community objections concerned other foundational aspects of the infrastructure.
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