Governors’ races are being increasingly buffeted by the toxic politics of data centers
Governors are imposing bans, moratoriums and new standards as residents press officials over higher power costs, water use and local quality of life.
- In Wisconsin's race for governor, data centers have emerged as a contentious campaign issue for Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley and U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany, as both candidates navigate voter concerns regarding the energy-hungry facilities.
- Public opposition has surged across the state, with 73% of Wisconsinites saying in a July Marquette Law School poll that data center costs outweigh benefits, while residents worry facilities threaten property values, rural character, and water supplies.
- Crowley supports data centers as economic drivers but advocates for local veto authority and a 'bring your own clean energy' requirement for companies seeking to build in the state, which he refers to as his Beyonce plan.
- Tiffany has attacked Crowley's record in recent ads, labeling him 'Data Center David Crowley,' while the Republican candidate recently received a $5,000 contribution from Robert Marchant, the Wisconsin Data Center Coalition's lobbyist.
- Governors nationwide, including Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker and Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, have recently paused tax incentives or ordered new regulations, reflecting a broader political realignment as candidates respond to public pressure on hyperscale data center energy demands.
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Data center backlash poised to play critical role in midterms: ‘We don’t even need data centers’
Big Tech has failed to win over Americans on its rapid build-out of data centers – and souring public opinion on the power-hungry sites could play a critical role in midterm elections across the country.
Governors' races are being buffeted by politics of data centers
HARRISBURG, Pa. — More governors are shifting their stances or taking more steps to squeeze data centers as the midterm elections near and public opinion sours on the energy-hungry behemoths tech giants are building to fuel artificial intelligence products and…
Governors' races are being increasingly buffeted by toxic politics of data centers
More governors are shifting their stances or taking more steps to squeeze data centers, as the midterm elections near and public opinion sours on the energy-hungry behemoths. The backlash to
Associated Press News
Governors' races are being increasingly buffeted by the toxic politics of data centers
More governors are shifting their stances or taking more steps to squeeze data centers, as the midterm elections near and public opinion sours on the energy-hungry behemoths.
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