‘A perfect, wild storm’: widely loathed datacenters see little US political opposition

The Guardian - World NewsCenter-LeftEN 5 min read 100% complete by Tom PerkinsJanuary 13, 2026 at 02:00 PM

AI Summary

long article 5 min

Despite widespread opposition to datacenter construction in the US, including rare bipartisan coalitions, political action to regulate them remains limited. In Michigan, a bill to repeal datacenter tax credits faces an uphill battle despite significant public disapproval of new centers. This lack of political will stems from a powerful alliance of big tech, the fossil fuel industry, utility companies, and the AFL-CIO, who benefit from datacenter development and lobby for their expansion. National political leaders also seek financial support from the tech sector, and some view datacenter construction as vital for AI development and national security. Grassroots opposition is driven by concerns about increased energy costs, water depletion, environmental pollution, and the limited job creation associated with these facilities.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

AFL-CIO 50% Sierra Club Michigan 50% Christy McGillivray 50% Democrat Party 60% Democratic Socialists of America 60% Republican Party 60% Stop the Steal 60% United States 70% Dylan Wegela ×270% Michigan ×590%

Keywords

datacenters 100% political opposition 80% big tech 70% tax credits 60% fossil fuel 60% economic development 50% ai infrastructure 50% political courage 40% energy bills 40%