AI data center opposition spreads to politics and advertising ahead of midterms
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Opposition to AI data centers is becoming a bipartisan issue, influencing campaigns, legislation and even marketing, as voters express concerns over costs and environmental impact.
A satirical video released by beverage brand Liquid Death and Garage Beer on the day of Florida's gubernatorial primary mocked AI data centers by suggesting they be cooled with urine. The 90-second clip, featuring former NFL player Jason Kelce, was described by the companies as a humorous take on the growing public debate over the water and energy demands of large AI facilities.
The controversy has entered the political arena. In Florida, Republican Rep. Byron Donalds, endorsed by President Trump, won the primary on a platform that includes the "Protecting Ratepayers Act," which would shift data-center development costs from taxpayers to private developers. Donalds received backing from AI-focused political action committees.
Nationally, the Republican Senate campaign committee warned that data-center projects are becoming a "sleeper issue" in the 2024 midterms, citing tight Senate races in Ohio and other states. Ohio’s pending 10-gigawatt data-center campus, backed by OpenAI and Nvidia, has drawn criticism from both parties.
Democratic Governor Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania signed an executive order requiring developers to fund all new electricity and water infrastructure and to meet community-benefit standards. His Republican opponent, Treasurer Stacy Garrity, has called for a pause on further data-center development.
In Texas, Governor Greg Abbott, once a champion of data centers, now mandates that companies cover infrastructure upgrades and reuse water, while Democratic gubernatorial candidate Gina Hinojosa urges a moratorium until stricter regulations are adopted.
Tech firms are responding with pledges to cover their own energy costs, limit water use and invest in local jobs. OpenAI and Microsoft have issued statements emphasizing community benefits, but lawmakers in New York have imposed a year-long moratorium on large data-center construction, a move criticized by President Trump.
Industry executives acknowledge a "crisis of trust" among the public, attributing skepticism to longstanding concerns about technology companies. The issue appears set to influence voter sentiment across party lines as the midterm elections approach.