# Data Centres Shift US Midterms

> Data centres now threaten US election outcomes as backlash grows.
- Title: Data Centres Shift US Midterms · BBC News | Shortify
- Summary: Data centres now threaten US election outcomes as backlash grows. US politicians face backlash over data centre expansions, with 833 community groups…
- Keywords: data centres, us midterms, ai expansion, community opposition, political backlash, local government, senator, data centre legislation, public backlash, political shift, news, world
- Source: BBC News — https://bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c0rezqpnekro
- Published: 2026-10-14T23:02:57.493+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: data centres, us midterms, ai expansion, community opposition, political backlash, local government, senator, data centre legislation, public backlash, political shift, news, world
## Senator's sudden focus
A US senator now regularly meets staff to track data centre impacts and draft legislation curbing their rapid expansion.
## Public backlash against data centres
Residents across the US oppose data centres due to their size, noise, and impact on water, air, and energy resources.
## Data centre growth
US has 3,000 operational data centres, with potential to double in the next few years, according to Pew Research Center.
## Local opposition surge
Community groups organizing against data centres more than doubled to 833 in the first few months of this year, appearing in nearly every US state.
## Political impact
Politicians across parties face pressure to address data centre backlash, with Republicans shifting from pro-business stance to opposition.
## Trump's stance
President Trump calls data centre opposition a 'sick conspiracy' and labels opponents as 'backwards and poor'.
## Arizona's shift
Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs paused tax breaks for data centres after public pressure.
## Texas example
Texas Republican Governor Greg Abbott reversed his pro-data centre stance after public concerns about safety and quality of life.
## Local opposition
Residents in Indiana, Arizona, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Oregon oppose data centres due to their size, noise, and environmental impact.
## Job claims
A new data centre creates 100-200 local jobs, fewer than industry advocates claim, according to Brookings Institution research.
## Community resistance
Residents in Texas reject data centre projects despite environmental safeguards, with one woman telling a developer to 'get the hell out of my state'.

> Get the hell out of my state
## Political consequences
Data centre backlash has become a sleeper issue that could decide the US midterms, with politicians shifting positions.
## Key takeaway

US politicians face backlash over data centre expansions, with 833 community groups opposing projects nationwide.