Anti-data center grassroots groups in the US more than doubled to 833 across 49 states in Q1 2026, blocking or delaying 75 projects worth $130 billion — matching the full-year total for 2025 in just three months. Opposition is bipartisan and driven by concerns over electricity costs, water use, and noise. Legislative momentum is growing, with over 300 data-center-related bills introduced in statehouses in the first six weeks of 2026 and moratorium bills proposed in 11 states. Maine's legislature passed a permitting pause that was ultimately vetoed by the governor. Public opinion has shifted sharply, with 70% of Americans now opposed to data centers near their homes. Meanwhile, the industry continues to invest heavily, with hyperscaler capex projected to exceed $690 billion in 2026 alone, widening the gap between industry ambitions and community acceptance.
