Data centers are now a midterm issue, even in Brooklyn

Data centers and AI have become a major issue in the 2026 midterm elections, with many people outside the tech industry opposing the growth of data centers and AI due to concerns about their impact on the environment and local communities. This opposition has led to delays and blockages in data center projects, with over $200 billion in projects stalled or blocked in the first half of 2026. The issue is particularly relevant in states like Pennsylvania, Georgia, Texas, New York, and Virginia, where lawmakers are considering new regulations on data centers and AI. The tech industry's optimism about AI and data centers is at odds with the concerns of many people outside the industry, highlighting a growing chasm between tech and non-tech communities.