Tech companies dealing with data center protests locally are fighting a losing battle: Only 8% of opponents actually live near one

A Milltown Partners survey found that most Americans opposing AI data centers do not live near one, indicating the backlash is driven by broad concerns about AI rather than local impacts. At least 75 data center projects worth roughly $130 billion were delayed or blocked in Q1 2026, with opponents citing rising energy costs and the unequal distribution of AI's benefits.