Data center backlash emerges as US election issue amid growth concerns

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 15 Oct, 00:38 · Archive

Local opposition to data center construction has become a midterm election issue as communities worry about utility costs, water use and environmental damage.

Data center construction has become a contentious issue in the US midterm elections set for Tuesday, November 3. Communities across the country are opposing the expansion of the large warehouses that house artificial intelligence infrastructure, citing concerns over rising utility costs, water use and environmental damage. BlackRock CEO Larry Fink warned that a moratorium on data center construction could trigger a recession, saying the economy relies heavily on the capital expenditure required to build out AI infrastructure. Both Democratic and Republican politicians have responded to public pressure by working to curb rapid expansion of data centres.

How it is being reported

• How backlash against data centres could shape the US midterm electionsDemocrats and Republicans alike are coming out against data centre development, amid growing backlash across the US.BBC Business · 15 Oct, 00:02
• BlackRock's Larry Fink warns a data center moratorium could trigger a recessionLocal opposition to data center construction has been a feature of the midterm elections set for Tuesday, Nov. 3.CNBC · 14 Oct, 16:19

In this story: BlackRock · Larry Fink · Amazon · Arizona · Indiana

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