Map Shows States Where Data Centers Are on the Ballot
Summary
Voters in eight U.S. states will decide on local ballot measures about building data centers, which are important for AI technology. These measures include bans, rules, or support for data centers, reflecting concerns about their impact on power use, water, land, and taxes.Key Facts
- At least 39 ballot measures on data center development are scheduled in California, Florida, Illinois, Kansas, Michigan, Nevada, Ohio, and Wisconsin.
- Most measures will be decided in the November 3 general election, with four already voted on earlier this year.
- Proposed measures vary from banning new data centers to requiring voter approval or regulating tax incentives for companies.
- Concerns include data centers using too much electricity and water, taking up land, and the fairness of tax breaks.
- Supporters say data centers help grow the AI industry, create construction jobs, attract investments, and increase local tax revenue.
- In Ohio, Senate candidate Sherrod Brown criticizes Senator Jon Husted for supporting data center projects, making it a key campaign issue.
- Senator Husted now supports laws to make large energy users, including data centers, pay for needed infrastructure upgrades to protect consumers.
- Newsweek’s AI Policy Scorecard ranks lawmakers on AI issues, showing Husted as cautious about expanding data centers compared to more supportive lawmakers.
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