Rising Electricity Costs Fuel Opposition to Data Centers in the U.S.
Rising electricity costs in the U.S. have sparked public opposition to new data center projects, particularly in states with high concentrations of these facilities. Industry groups are countering this sentiment by advertising data centers as economic drivers, while the International Energy Agency projects that their energy demand will more than double by 2030. The issue is expected to be significant in the upcoming 2026 midterm elections, especially following gubernatorial victories in New Jersey and Virginia by candidates advocating for infrastructure upgrades.
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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.
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