Data centers, which house the computing infrastructure needed to run artificial intelligence programs, have become a defining issue in U.S. politics and on the midterm campaign trail. Voters in both parties have raised concerns about higher energy bills and environmental effects including constant noise and water consumption. President Donald Trump remains broadly supportive, saying on Aug. 23 that communities rejecting data centers are "making a mistake," while also saying on Aug. 21 that Republicans may oppose them. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has taken a more skeptical position, signing legislation on May 7 that preserves local governments' ability to reject projects, seeks to prevent costs from reaching consumers through utility bills, protects water resources and requires eventual public disclosure of deals. Rep. Byron Donalds has expressed more support for AI and data centers while opposing higher consumer costs. Sen. Jon Ossoff has urged scrutiny of the effect of billions of dollars in Georgia AI investment on energy prices. Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro has shifted from promoting Amazon's planned data centers to imposing guidelines on energy and water costs and ending developers' fast-track permitting eligibility. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul imposed a one-year ban on hyperscale data center construction in July. Similar measures have emerged in roughly a dozen states, while experts say local moratoriums have so far been more successful.