Public Outcry: Mass Rejection of Giant Data Centre Projects

An increasing number of states in the United States are rejecting the construction of data centres, driven by concerns over the typically more wasteful use of electricity, water, and land. A report by The Information noted that more than 500 US jurisdictions have blocked or restricted new data centres, with over 150 cities and counties imposing temporary or permanent bans in July alone. Heatmap recorded that the number of restrictive local regulations on the matter has reached more than 530 across 42 states, with nearly 190 rules adopted since 1 June 2026. Meanwhile, Heatmap noted that more than 50 data centres have been cancelled so far this year, double the number of cancellations from the previous year, according to an AI Weekly report citing The Information on Monday. The Information’s report also noted that the issue has shifted beyond just local zoning, with state-level intervention now occurring. For instance, Governor Kathy Hochul imposed a one-year moratorium on discretionary environmental permits for any data centre in New York with a capacity of 50 megawatts or more, as stipulated in Executive Order 62. Texas Governor Greg Abbott has also directed local agencies to halt data centre approvals until an audit is completed. The wave of protests against data centre construction continues to be heard, often ending in chaos and arrests. Throughout 2026, there have been 37 incidents of citizen arrests, with 12 incidents involving police blocking crowds from approaching local officials. One person arrested was Pablo Payan, 42, a maintenance manager in Indiana, during a forum opposing an Amazon data centre project in Hobart. He was arrested merely for refusing to state his full name before speaking. A physics teacher in Kansas, Lux Claridge, was also arrested for clapping during a public meeting in support of residents opposing a 1,000-hectare data centre project. Claridge was deemed to have violated a rule set by local officials that prohibited attendees from snapping their fingers and clapping. Meanwhile, the protesters voiced their disgust with officials who prioritise the interests of Big Tech over the community.