Poll Finds Rising Concern Over Data…Poll Finds Rising Concern Over Data Center Impacts

A national 2026 poll found that concern about AI’s environmental effects increased substantially from the previous year, with respondents focused on data centers’ electricity demand, potential effects on power prices and reliability, and local water use. Majorities of Democrats and Republicans supported limiting new facilities, requiring clean energy, and in one account requiring developers to fund grid upgrades. The findings come as data center construction expands and projected electricity demand rises, although respondents also recognized potential benefits for technology and employment.