Citizens Critical To The Data Center Solution
The midterm elections made it clear that citizens and public officials alike want more common sense and more civic engagement from leaders of the AI revolution. Crossbow recommends a dynamic program that can position the hyperscalers as leaders and the voice of reason on artificial intelligence and data center development. It can help build awareness, understanding and support among stakeholders around the world. It can help overcome objections, while optimizing stakeholder value and shareholder value.
Voters decided on dozens of local ballot measures regarding data centers in 13 states: Arkansas, California, Florida, Illinois, Kansas, Maine, Michigan, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Dakota, Ohio, and Wisconsin.
Voters overwhelmingly chose to limit data center development across the United States, passing restrictions in nearly every community where the issue was on the ballot.
Many communities have concerns that data centers consume mass quantities of electricity, water and land. Others don’t want to give data centers tax breaks and financial incentives.
A wave of local ballot initiatives saw residents push back heavily against the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence infrastructure. Voters decided on more than 40 measures on Election Day. Of those, voters approved restrictions or rejected pro-development measures in all but one community in North Dakota.
Harwood, North Dakota had an initiative on the ballot that would have required additional community review before the city approves industrial developments, including data centers. Opponents defeated the initiative with 76 percent of the vote.
Elsewhere across the country, communities enacted outright bans, temporary or retroactive moratoriums, strict energy and water use limitations, and mandatory public voting requirements before construction can begin on a data center.
The nationwide resistance was driven by deep bipartisan community anxieties regarding rising electricity costs, massive water consumption, severe noise pollution, and the loss of rural farmland to industrial facilities. Of course, most are concerned about a loss of property value. According to an NBC exit poll, 56 percent of voters said AI and data centers played a “crucial or major factor” in their vote for Congress. A poll published by UMass Amherst earlier this year found that only 11 percent of Americans would support the construction of an AI data center in their community.
Ohio had more ballot initiatives related to data centers than any other state (21). Ohio is already saturated with 154 data centers that are operational (27 more under construction and 57 more being planned). Voters went against data center development in all 21. Eleven bans passed. The statewide ban that missed this year’s ballot could return in 2027.
Illinois had 7 measures, all advisory. All seven went against data centers. All three Kansas bans passed. Alhambra, California and Edgewater, Florida voted on outright bans.
Six measures were decided between March and September. All six went against data center development, by margins of 66 to 90 percent. Monterey Park, California passed a ban in June with 88 percent. Augusta Township, Michigan voters rejected a rezoning for a proposed data center with 90 percent voting no. Wrightstown, Wisconsin voters said no, 87 to 13, to committing public resources to a large-scale data center.
All of these ballot initiatives are expensive and time consuming for everyone. They are a symptom of an emerging industry that needs more civic engagement and more transparency. To help facilitate better dialogue and better solutions site-by-site, Crossbow proposes a dynamic civic engagement program that will optimize benefits to all stakeholders.
Our Proposed Solution
We propose a very specialized program to serve cities, communities and citizens first. It will even benefit cities and communities that will never host a data center. Hyperscalers, government and other leaders will sponsor and support the program, which will promote America’s AI Action Plan in many ways:
- Overcome concerns from stakeholders regarding site selection, permitting and operations;
- Streamline site selection, community acceptance and development;
- Promote AI within government at all levels;
- Promote American AI systems and standards internationally; and
- Serve as a platform of diplomacy where all like-minded countries can work together to encourage the development of AI in line with our shared values.
The Greener Cities program will transcend data centers and AI to help communities around the world optimize efficiency and resilience. It will help them with visioning, strategic planning, resource optimization, risk management and more. These mutually beneficial relationships will help allied industries build stronger foundations for growth and prosperity.
Crossbow Communications is an award-winning public affairs firm. We influence public opinion and public policy around the world.
