The growth of data centers in the U.S. is becoming a significant political issue. Experts warn about left-wing groups and climate activists opposing these centers. Larry Behrens, from Power The Future, compares it to past protests against oil pipelines. He notes the organized appearance of activists and questions the source of their funding.
Several progressive groups opposing data centers receive substantial funding. Public Citizen, backed by George Soros’ Open Society Foundations, and the Sierra Club, funded by the Sixteen Thirty Fund, are key players. CodePink, another opponent, is linked to socialist donor Neville Roy Singham, who has ties to the Chinese Communist Party. Singham funneled significant resources into activism as the U.S. and China vie for AI dominance.
In Texas, a hotspot for data center debates, Public Citizen and the Sierra Club among others, fuel opposition. Public Citizen founded the Texas Data Center Rebellion. The Sierra Club’s Austin chapter joined Save Our Springs Alliance to oppose a major development in Austin involving data centers.
Groups involved in anti-ICE and other protests also oppose data centers. Power the Future urged Congress to investigate opposition, highlighting left-wing backing. Behrens points out the recurring language and tactics across these movements, suggesting astroturfing over grassroots campaigns.
Behrens argues opposition roots in disliking Trump’s energy policies. He claims the environmental left opposes data centers because they represent American jobs and energy. They criticize projects for water and land use while supporting similar uses for their favored causes, such as cannabis and solar farms.
Data centers are a heated topic in midterm elections, especially in states like Texas, Ohio, and Nevada. Fox News polling indicates 70% oppose local data center construction. 80% want slower project rollouts to address environmental and community issues. Yet, some support rapid development to maintain a competitive edge in AI.
Experts assert climate activists are misusing consumer concerns to foster disinformation and opposition against technological infrastructure. The same networks opposing oil and gas now target data centers, perceiving them as barriers to American innovation.
The backlash influences political races, with candidates pressured to distance from data center projects or demand stricter regulations. In Texas, Democratic strategies integrate data center discussions into broader political organizing. Texas Together, supported by Democratic groups, emphasizes these topics in town halls and protests.
Critics, like Behrens, suggest data center developers engage directly with local communities to address genuine concerns. He cautions against unnecessary opposition influenced by environmental agendas. He encourages reflection on opposition motivations, highlighting figures like AOC and Bernie Sanders as repeatedly incorrect on energy issues.
In response to criticisms, a Sixteen Thirty Fund spokesperson supports legitimate community concerns over data centers’ impacts and challenges corporate interests to consider these issues seriously.