Public opposition to building AI data centers near homes reached 71% among American adults in a March 2026 Gallup poll, including 48% who said they were strongly opposed. A separate May 2026 Heatmap Pro survey produced the same overall opposition rate, while recording a higher 55% share of respondents who were strongly opposed. The shift marks a sharp increase from opposition levels of 42% to 47% in late 2025 and exceeds the historical peak of 63% opposition to nuclear power plants during the height of anti-nuclear sentiment. Electricity and water consumption are the leading concerns for about half of opponents, while others cite noise, pollution and potentially higher utility bills. Gallup found opposition ranging from 63% to 75% among both Republicans and Democrats. In the first quarter of 2026, community and legislative actions blocked or delayed more than 75 data center initiatives representing over $130 billion in planned investment. About 300 state-level bills targeting data center regulation were introduced during the first half of 2026. New York’s governor signed an executive order in July 2026 pausing new hyperscale data center permits for one year, while California and other states advance regulatory frameworks. Depending on the survey, 64% to 79% of respondents preferred a slower, more cautious construction approach that considers local and environmental impacts.