The development of data centers has become a contentious political issue in the United States. Experts express concern about various left-wing groups and climate activists investing heavily in opposing data center campaigns. Larry Behrens of Power The Future shared insights with Fox News Digital, comparing these opposition efforts to past campaigns against projects like the Dakota Access Pipeline and fossil fuel production.
Several organizations supporting data center opposition benefit from major progressive funding sources, such as George Soros’s Open Society Foundations and the Sierra Club. The Sierra Club received $3.6 million from Arabella Advisors’ Sixteen Thirty Fund over eight years.
Energy groups warn wealthy foreigners are funding anti-data center campaigns.
CodePink, another opponent of data center projects, receives funding linked to socialist Neville Roy Singham, known for ties to the Chinese Communist Party. His financial contributions to activist nonprofits have been reported amidst the U.S.-China battle for global AI dominance.
Texas serves as a battleground for the data center controversy, with opposition fueled by groups like Public Citizen and the Sierra Club. Public Citizen played a role in founding the Texas Data Center Rebellion, while several organizations joined a forum opposing a large Austin development involving data centers.
Many groups opposing ICE and other national protests also push back against data centers. Earlier this year, Power the Future asked Congress to examine the rise of opposition groups, linking left-wing organizations to the efforts against data centers.
Behrens pointed out that funding for these groups often passes through multiple organizations, obscuring its origins. Local opposition does exist, but when legislative language and talking points are identical, the movement appears less organic.
Behrens suggests ideological opposition to data centers stems from disdain for Progress linked with President Donald Trump and fossil fuels. He views opposition as a stance against American jobs and energy, questioning environmentalist backlash when their projects don’t face criticism over water or land use.
Data centers dominate political conversation during midterm elections in states like Texas, Ohio, and Nevada. Fox News polling revealed 70% of voters oppose data center construction in their communities.
Fox News polling shows widespread voter reluctance towards data centers.
The issue impacts Senate and gubernatorial races, with candidates pressured to distance themselves from data center projects or demand tougher regulations.
In Texas, Democrats incorporate data center opposition into broader midterm strategies. Texas Together, a coordinated campaign, hosts town halls and press events featuring Democratic candidates. Local Democratic groups have protested against AI data centers, citing environmental concerns.
Behrens communicates a need for data center companies to engage local stakeholders directly, clarifying the benefits and operations of data centers. Questions about manufacturing and infrastructure projects are legitimate, but he warns against roadblocks based on environmentalist rhetoric.
Fox News Digital reached out to various groups for comments. A spokesperson from Sixteen Thirty Fund defended their support of Sierra Club, emphasizing the legitimacy of community concerns over project impacts.
Andrew Mark Miller contributed to the report, available on Twitter and via email.
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