Cities, Citizens Pushing Back On New Data Centers
A Proposal For Civic Engagement
Millions of people are caught in the crossfire between artificial intelligence (AI), climate change and the rising cost of living. It’s a defining moment for humanity and industry – especially the hyperscalers. Together, we can build a platform and program that will promote civic engagement, community acceptance and much more. Together, we can optimize the value of these projects for stockholders and stakeholders around the world.
We propose a very specialized program to serve cities, communities and citizens first. It will even benefit cities and communities that will never host a data center. Hyperscalers, government and other leaders will sponsor and support the program, which will promote America’s AI Action Plan in many ways:
- Overcome concerns from stakeholders regarding site selection, permitting and operations;
- Streamline site selection, community acceptance and development;
- Promote AI within government at all levels;
- Promote American AI systems and standards internationally; and
- Serve as a platform of diplomacy where all like-minded countries can work together to encourage the development of AI in line with our shared values.
The Greener Cities program will transcend data centers and AI to help communities around the world optimize efficiency and resilience. It will help them with visioning, strategic planning, resource optimization, risk management and more. These mutually beneficial relationships will help allied industries build stronger foundations for growth and prosperity.
The Problem
Climate change threatens millions of people around the world with extreme weather, rising energy costs and insecure sources of food and water. Are more data centers the answer?
The United States has more than 4,500 operational data centers now. More than 1,500 new data centers are in various stages of development. These massive projects are becoming more controversial due to environmental, economic, and social concerns. They require immense amounts of electricity and water. Meanwhile, many cities are struggling with the complexity of the issue. Most cities don’t have zoning requirements or a regulatory framework to apply to the demands of a data center.
Many residents now view data centers as an exploitation of resources and taxpayers. Nondisclosure agreements with local officials have been common practice. If a company or the local government doesn’t inform citizens before breaking ground on a construction project, the oppositions is usually extreme.
According to a recent Pew Research Center poll, 60 percent of Americans are not comfortable with the development of a new data center in their community.
Unfortunately, some data center companies have used questionable tactics to secure land and local approval for the development of these projects. Some stakeholders are being left in the dark, which causes suspicion, backlash and expensive delays. Amazon will no longer use nondisclosure agreements with government agencies to conceal data center projects. Microsoft also will no longer allow its contractors to use NDAs when negotiating site agreements.
Amazon also just announced that it will work to ensure that its facilities don’t raise residents’ electricity bills. It also will create jobs with competitive wages and hold open houses to give communities more information about its projects. Amazon also announced a new program called Built Together that will invest more than $1 billion over the next five years in the communities where its data centers are being built. Amazon says local communities will help decide how that money is spent, with funding potentially going toward education, job training, energy affordability, and water and energy conservation. Meta announced a similar $1 billion fund in August.
The research group Data Center Watch found that grassroots groups blocked or delayed at least 100 data center projects worth approximately $200 billion in the first half of 2026. Leaders from both parties are calling for state or national moratoriums — a serious obstacle for an American industry that needs an estimated 1,500 more data centers.
This is a critical moment for Anthropic, Apple, AWS, Google, IBM, Meta, Microsoft, OpenAI, Oracle, SpacEx/Tesla, and other leaders. Every action and statement matters.
The Solution
Cities and communities need help engaging their citizens to develop a common vision. They need help developing policies that address the high demands of a data center. Others need help optimizing strategies to be more efficient, resilient and responsible themselves. They need optimal urban planning and sustainability. AI is part of the solution.
Since most Americans believe that data centers raise their electricity bills and deplete the water supply, listen. Let’s evaluate the options together.
Greener Cities is an international program for civic engagement, inclusion and progress. It’s a dynamic, third-party program that can help showcase the value of AI in municipal environments, while building models for civic engagement and community acceptance. It will promote:
- Inclusion;
- Transparency;
- Consistency;
- Best practices;
- Critical municipal applications for artificial intelligence. Help cities optimize operations, minimize their footprint (water, energy, transportation, waste management, risk management, etc);
- Jobs;
- Awards;
- Media relations and crisis communications;
- Training; and
- Events.
This important program will help hyperscalers build productive, long-term relationships with cities and citizens alike. It’s a high-profile opportunity to demonstrate that AI is part of the solution and an important part of the future.
This proposal represents an investment in civic engagement and civil discourse. It will further position the hyperscalers as leaders and the voice of reason in the ongoing discussion regarding data centers and their local impact. It will empower citizens with facts and resources. Industry suppliers, contractors, coalitions and associations also will play important roles.
Data Center Statistics
The United States has more than 4,700 data centers now—accounting for roughly 40-45 percent of all facilities globally. The United Kingdom comes in a distant second with 568 data centers, followed by Germany with 533. China has an estimated 449 data centers.
In the United States, approximately 67 percent of planned data centers are in rural areas, while 87 percent of existing data centers are in urban areas. About 39 percent of planned data centers are in counties that do not have one now. Virginia (398) and Texas (296) have the most data centers in operation today. California (277), Ohio (166) and New York (148) are next in line.
Most of the planned construction of U.S. data centers will happen in the South and Midwest:
- Virginia (287)
- Texas (170)
- Georgia (141)
- Illinois (123)
- Arizona (86)
Currently, 38 percent of Americans live within five miles of at least one operational data center. These structures are often built in clusters — nearly 90 percent of data centers are within five miles of another one. As a result, a majority of Americans who live near one data center also live near another one.
Another 4 percent of Americans don’t live near a currently operational data center, but live within five miles of one that’s planned. That means 42 percent of the American population lives close to an existing or planned data center.
The Political Pushback
Democratic New York Gov. Kathy Hochul signed an executive order in July establishing the United States’ first statewide pause on large data center construction. Historically, efforts to slow or pause data center growth have occurred at the municipal or county level, often driven by local concerns surrounding energy consumption, land use, water resources, and community impact. New York’s action represents the first statewide moratorium of its kind. Several other states are considering legislation that could restrict future data center projects. Growing local opposition combined with increased legislative activity at the state level, has elevated regulatory risk as a key factor in development planning.
Several states are advancing legislation that requires developers to cover data center energy costs and report usage. California, Ohio, and Utah already have enacted laws that go beyond the federal government’s voluntary Ratepayer Protection Pledge.
State vs. Federal Regulations
In 2025, President Trump issued an executive order to rapidly and efficiently build out data center infrastructure by “easing federal regulatory burdens.” The order’s reach is limited to federal policies. It does not preempt state permitting requirements, zoning laws, or energy regulations, meaning a data center that meets federal requirements can still face significant state and local challenges. The order does not impact state and local policymakers’ authority over land use or utility regulations.
The White House just announced that tech companies will work independently to appease local residents by making “massive contributions” to communities, such as funding local schools, assisting teachers financially, or directly supplying oil and gas infrastructure to offset local burdens. The Greener Cities program will make a lasting impact in these communities and beyond.
International Resistance
More than 70 data center projects in Europe were rejected or restricted between January and April, according to the European Data Center Monitor. The pushback is spreading from local town halls to courts, regulators and parliaments. Public opposition has already delayed or cancelled billions of dollars worth of data center investments.
Scotland has paused planning approvals for new hyperscale data centers after campaigners called on the government to avoid the “cautionary tale” of Ireland, where overwhelming power demand led to a moratorium.
Spain also proposed new data center rules that require data centers to source 80 percent of their electricity from renewables. Projects in the U.K. and Denmark also have stalled after pushback.
South Korea has made AI data centers one of the nation’s top priorities. But its push to build the infrastructure is running into pushback at the local level. In Seoul, residents want authorities to revoke the building permit and halt construction of a data center near their homes. City officials will now require consent from a majority of residents living within 200 meters of proposed data center sites. The city will introduce a three-stage system for reviewing projects and mediating disputes.
About Greener Cities
Greener Cities is an emerging division of Crossbow Communications, a Colorado-based corporation. Crossbow has influenced public opinion and public policy around the world for more than 30 years. We have formed international alliances, influenced international trade and promoted best practices in sustainability, healthcare and natural resources. Members of our team have worked with hyperscalers during the AI development and buildout. We also have worked with utilities, cities, counties, state officials, nonprofits and national associations. We will develop a specialized team and form critical alliances to facilitate this program.
We have worked with New York publishers on sustainability and resiliency since 1995.
We helped the National Civic League promote civic engagement across the United States, including the All-America City Award.
We developed a civic engagement program for the National Civic League called the Ambassadors In Education Award. It recognized teachers and principals in public schools who actively engage with community members. MetLife sponsored the awards program in more than 30 cities across the United States.
We are building an international alliance to promote forest conservation, reforestation and sustainable agriculture across most of Africa.
Our team worked with stakeholders to prevent a trade war between Indonesia and members of the European Union over tropical timber and rainforest destruction. We brought hundreds of stakeholders from around the world to Indonesia for the Global Forestry Conference — an official follow-up to the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro. The engagement, including multiple site tours, extended and expanded trade agreements.
We enlisted the support of news legend Mike Wallace and Colorado’s Governor Romer to appear in a series of public service announcements that promoted access to Colorado’s community mental health system. The campaign helped overcome objections to Medicaid reform.
In the face of growing resistance to many data centers, we propose forming an advisory board that consists of hyperscalers and other tech leaders, cities and citizens. We can immediately collaborate on visioning, planning, budgeting and program acceleration.
For more information, please contact our CEO, Gary Chandler, at 303-278-2865 or gary@crossbowcommunications.com
Crossbow Communications is an award-winning public affairs and government affairs firm. We serve the world.