* New national poll…
* More from CBS News…
Many Americans are skeptical about having a data center in their area, fueled largely by what they perceive as negative impacts on the environment and resources.
The construction of data centers in the U.S. has accelerated in recent years, but most Americans feel they don’t know a lot about them yet.
People’s own lack of familiarity with data centers contributes to their unease about having one in their local area. While people tend not to favor them no matter how much they feel they know, the less they feel they know about data centers, the less likely they are to favor one.
Overall, by more than two to one, more Americans oppose than favor having a new data center built in their area. Many aren’t sure.
* From the toplines…
* Methodology…
This CBS News/YouGov survey was conducted with a nationally representative sample of 2,023 U.S. adults interviewed between June 2-4, 2026. The sample was weighted to be representative of adults nationwide according to gender, age, race, and education, based on the U.S. Census American Community Survey and Current Population Survey, as well as 2024 presidential vote. The margin of error is ±2.8 points.
Discuss.
- Allknowingmasterofraccoondom - Thursday, Jun 25, 26 @ 12:50 pm:
And yet all these respondents can’t seem to ever put down their smart phone.
- Remember the Alamo II - Thursday, Jun 25, 26 @ 12:51 pm:
I think the companies that have data centers here would be well served to bring in all of the relevant stakeholders to see what their operation looks like. I know data centers are not a monolith, and dealing with them should not be a one-size-fits-all approach.
- Rich Miller - Thursday, Jun 25, 26 @ 12:51 pm:
===can’t seem to ever put down their smart phone===
Nice red herring. Now address the actual issues.
- Lurker - Thursday, Jun 25, 26 @ 12:53 pm:
My answer would have been none of the above for two of those questions. I’m sure but I think it is mostly neither good nor bad, if done right.
- JS Mill - Thursday, Jun 25, 26 @ 12:55 pm:
When Google started building data centers in the DeKalb area everyone loved it. There are several built over the past decade. Not sure what has changed though.
- Candy Dogood - Thursday, Jun 25, 26 @ 1:17 pm:
===Discuss===
A test of the Governor and quite a few of the legislators will be how they respond to this issue and how they navigate their relationships with the building trades who will be directly affected by a response to the public demand.
Everyone fell for the monorail bit, but now that we’re seeing what’s happening in Shelbyville we don’t want the monorail in Springfield anymore.
===And yet all these respondents can’t seem to ever put down their smart phone. ===
The data centers that are being built aren’t being built to support the end user experience on a smart phone. We already have capacity for it. If they have anything to do with end users, it is to better abuse the data and information being generated when we use our devices by feeding it through giant algorithms and attempting to monetize everything. There a lot of sensors on our smart phones that we don’t necessarily appreciate that generate a lot of data that does not have to be stored or utilized by anyone — well no someone wants to store and utilize this data and feed it into what they’re calling “artificial intelligence” so that they can find new ways to exploit us.
Not only is this a red herring, it is a stupid red herring. My smart phone does not need “artificial intelligence optimization” and no one needs to know how what I am doing with my smart phone alters my pulse, breath rate, et al — never mind the effort to listen into our conversations, read our texts, emails, or whatever else they can steal from us in order to better exploit us.
Next up you can tell us how these giant resource pits are essential for the future of humanity because the future of humanity absolutely depends on the exploitation of user data.
- Rich Miller - Thursday, Jun 25, 26 @ 1:25 pm:
===Not sure what has changed though===
Oh, come on.
Higher utility bills, threatened water supplies, loud operational noise, even documented cases of ambient temperature increases in areas surrounding some data centers.
- Chrissie - Thursday, Jun 25, 26 @ 1:43 pm:
Those questions address the negative side of the technological progress that requires data centers. Of course the responses show concern. But is it worth it? Seems like data centers are an unavoidable part of the technological advances humanity will use to advance our civilization, so we’ll have to figure it out. Build them on the moon, but build them.
- Rich Miller - Thursday, Jun 25, 26 @ 1:45 pm:
===Seems like data centers are an unavoidable part of the technological advances humanity will use to advance our civilization===
Sure, Elon.