A new PBS News, NPR and Marist poll shows broad U.S. opposition to data center construction, particularly when projects are proposed in voters’ own communities. Fifty-eight percent say new facilities built by companies including Amazon, Google, Meta, Microsoft and OpenAI would have a mostly negative effect on the country, while 65% oppose construction locally and 43% are strongly opposed. Opposition exceeds 60% across big cities, suburbs, small towns and rural areas. More than 80% of Democrats oppose local projects, while Republicans are nearly evenly divided, with 46% supporting and 44% opposing them. Self-identified MAGA supporters are the only group that favors local construction. At least 75 projects valued at roughly $130 billion were blocked or delayed in the first three months of 2026, according to Data Center Watch. The issue has entered campaigns and congressional debate, including bipartisan House legislation passed last week that would require state energy regulators to consider making data centers pay for local electrical upgrades. Trump supports data centers and has criticized opponents, creating tension for Republicans facing constituents worried about development, energy costs and artificial intelligence. The poll surveyed 1,280 registered voters from Sept. 14 to 15, 2026, with a margin of error of 3.8 percentage points.