Survey Finds 71% Oppose Local AI Data Centers, 53% Oppose Local Nuclear Plant Builds

A March survey found 71% of respondents opposed local AI data center construction, compared with 53% who opposed local nuclear plant construction. The gap was 18 percentage points. U.S. data centers used about 176 terawatt-hours of electricity in 2023, equal to 4.4% of the nation’s electricity use. Survey respondents cited resource use, environmental effects, quality of life and utility bills as concerns. The 71% opposition figure also appeared in earlier coverage of local AI data center opposition . The March survey’s comparison with local nuclear plants adds another measure of views on large facilities built in communities.

Source: TokenPost