Rising Electricity Costs Fuel Opposition to Data Centers in the U.S.
Electricity prices in the United States have significantly increased in states with the highest concentration of data centers, leading to growing public opposition against new data center projects. Industry groups have responded by purchasing advertisements portraying data centers as job creators and economic drivers rather than energy consumers.
According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), the energy demand of U.S. data centers is expected to more than double by 2030. In November, gubernatorial elections in New Jersey and Virginia were won by candidates who campaigned on the promise to require data centers to invest in upgrading the electrical grid infrastructure. This issue is anticipated to become a key point of contention in the upcoming 2026 midterm elections.
