Resistance to the construction of new data centers designed to support AI infrastructure in the US is rising sharply. Due to the strain on the energy grid and public discontent, local authorities are introducing restrictions and temporary bans on such projects. This is reported by Ixbt.com reports .
According to the U.S. Data Center Moratorium Tracker, 14 new moratoriums were established in the country in March and April of this year. Currently, about 50 such restrictions are in effect across various states and counties. While some bans have become permanent, others are still under discussion.
The main cause of the conflict is the high electricity demand of the massive computing clusters required for AI. Since modernizing power grids is expensive, part of the costs is being passed on to ordinary consumers, leading to rate hikes. In some regions, wholesale electricity prices have more than doubled.
Residents are unhappy not only with rising electricity bills but also with the noise from cooling systems, infrastructure aging, and the construction of large industrial facilities near residential areas. According to surveys, nearly 47% of Americans oppose having AI centers near their homes.
This situation is becoming a new risk factor for major tech companies. Although the AI sector is investing billions of dollars in expanding computing power, local bans are slowing down the launch of new sites and complicating the permitting process.
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