Americans have grown more negative toward data centers since January. 54% now say they are mostly bad for the environment. 50% say they are mostly bad for home energy costs. 49% say they are mostly bad for people’s quality of life nearby. 60% would be uncomfortable with a new data center in their area. Awareness has risen, with 88% now having heard at least a little about them. 12% still have not heard of data centers at all. Democrats are more likely than Republicans to view data centers negatively. Rural Americans show the sharpest increase in negative views. Liberal Democrats are the most uncomfortable with local data centers. The survey was conducted from July 20 to August 9. It covered 10,548 U.S. adults.
What changed
In January, 39% said data centers were mostly bad for the environment, 38% for home energy costs, and 30% for quality of life nearby.
- 54% say data centers are mostly bad for the environment
- 50% say mostly bad for home energy costs
- 49% say mostly bad for quality of life nearby
- 60% uncomfortable with a new local data center
Sources