U.S. Surpasses 300 Data Center Bans Since 2023; OpenAI Stargate Faces Local Opposition

According to Beating, over 300 data center restrictions or bans have been enacted across U.S. states and localities since 2023, with more than 275 introduced in 2026 alone. The resistance has intensified in Midwestern and Southern regions where tech giants are building large-scale AI infrastructure.

In Michigan, OpenAI and Oracle's Stargate supercomputer project broke ground on June 1 after a legal victory, despite Saline Township's earlier vote to block the proposal. The $250 million investment was set to create over 30 jobs and receive tax exemptions through 2050. However, over 20 towns within a 50-mile radius have since enacted data center bans. Nationwide, polling shows 70% of American adults oppose AI data center construction in their localities, citing water consumption, rising electricity costs, and landscape damage as primary concerns. The backlash spans political boundaries, with Senator Bernie Sanders and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez proposing federal restrictions, while conservative groups mobilize opposition across multiple states.