Texas Imposes Data Center Moratorium as 71% of Americans Oppose Local Projects
Updated
Updated · Noahpinion · Aug 8
Texas Imposes Data Center Moratorium as 71% of Americans Oppose Local Projects
3 articles · Updated · Noahpinion · Aug 8
Summary
Texas has joined New York in pausing data center construction, extending a backlash that is no longer confined to blue states.
71% of Americans now oppose a data center near them, up from 42% in August 2025, while support has fallen to 21%, according to the latest survey cited in the report.
Opposition centers on resource strain: Gallup respondents most often cited water use, energy consumption and higher utility bills, while data centers already account for more than 7% of U.S. electricity demand.
Texas had already frozen new approvals over grid and water concerns, with officials citing a 500% jump in projected electricity demand and requiring audits of proposed projects' resource use.
The report argues wider state or federal bans could choke AI infrastructure and hit a fragile U.S. economy, even as long-run limits may ease competition for scarce energy.