To solidify their leading position in the realm of artificial intelligence, political and business circles in the United States have been ramping up efforts to construct and expand data centers. Nevertheless, AI servers are notorious for their substantial electricity and water consumption. Alarmingly, many of these new projects are situated in regions already grappling with water scarcity, prompting widespread public skepticism (replacing 'doubts' for a more nuanced expression) and resistance. Surveys reveal that a staggering 71% of Americans are against the construction of AI data centers. Since 2023, over 300 states, cities, and counties across the U.S. have implemented bans or temporary halts on new data center developments. In the first quarter of 2026 alone, at least 75 data center projects, either under construction or in the planning phase nationwide, were either suspended or postponed, representing a total investment value of $130 billion. Residents' primary concerns revolve around four key areas: electricity usage, water resources, environmental impact, and the strain on living facilities. Moreover, the U.S. power infrastructure is aging, with over 70% of the core grid equipment having been in operation for more than 25 years. The transmission capacity margin of the power lines is critically inadequate, unable to handle the enormous influx of new computing power loads. In response to mounting public pressure, local governments in the U.S. have instituted multiple pre-approval review processes, encompassing grid capacity evaluations and water consumption audits.
