BBS:      TELESC.NET.BR
Assunto:  Not in my backyard
De:       Mike Powell
Data:     Fri, 15 May 2026 09:37:38 -0500
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'Not in my backyard': New Gallup data shows most Americans would rather have 
a nuclear power plant in their neighborhood than a data center

Date:
Thu, 14 May 2026 22:05:00 +0000

Description:
Gallup data illustrates rising opposition to data centers across the US, with 
barely anyone in favor of new facilities:  The majority of American
would object to new data centers being built in their local area, with many 
even preferring new nuclear power facilities instead, new data has claimed. 

A Gallup poll found over seven in 10 (71%) of Americans oppose nearby 
construction of data centers for AI with nearly half (48%) who are strongly 
opposed - significantly higher to the proportion (53%) who said they'd oppose 
the building of a nuclear energy plant in their area. Only 20% said they were 
in favor of such projects, with just 7% strongly in favor. Latest Videos From 

Data center opposition grows -- The findings, the first time Gallup has
canvassed opinion on this area, come as opposition to new data centers 
skyrockets across the US, with worries over noise, health concerns and 
environmental damage continuing to rise. 

These concerns were reflected in the survey findings, as 70% of respondents 
said they were worried to some degree about how data centers would impact the 
local environment. 

This included 50% highlighting excessive use of resources, with 18% 
mentioning both the high usage of water and energy, with a similar amount 
(16%) mentioned noise pollution and air and water pollution, and others 
saying they would preferring the land be used for other purposes. 

Among other opposition was the impact on the local quality of life, 
specifically around increased population and traffic, as well as potentially 
negative economic consequences such as higher utility bills, cost-of-living 
increases, and the potential use of taxpayer funds to build the centers.
    
Those who said they were in favor of new data centers named benefits to the 
local economy, the creation of jobs, and increased tax revenues as potential 
plus points. 

Concerns were also fairly consistent across all major demographic groups and 
the political spectrum, however Republican voters were slightly more likely 
to be in favor than Democrats. 

"For AI usage to expand in the US, data centers that can handle the necessary 
computing power will have to be built," Gallup noted in its write-up. 

"But most Americans appear to be adopting a not in my backyard attitude to 
building additional data centers, and that attitude is especially intense, 
given that nearly half strongly oppose that construction." 

"Overcoming this opposition stands as a major hurdle in the expansion of AI 
computing. The intensity of opposition means that proposed data centers are 
likely to spur grassroots activism from local residents as well as legal 
challenges. It also indicates that AI infrastructure could become an 
important campaign issue in local and state elections this year, and 
politicians who favor data centers in their area are likely taking a 
politically risky stance."

Link to news story:
https://www.techradar.com/pro/not-in-my-backyard-new-gallup-data-shows-most-am
ericans-would-rather-have-a-nuclear-power-plant-in-their-neighborhood-than-a-d
ata-center

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 * Origin: Capitol City Hub (1:2320/105)

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