At a time of deep division, the rapid development of data centers is sparking a movement with real potential to reshape politics in service of the public good. Opposition is rising across the country. Seven in 10 Americans would oppose a data center in their area (48% strongly), citing water as the top concern. More than 640,000 people have joined opposition groups on Facebook, and 700+ pauses and bans are in effect or under consideration across the country. A quarter of those are in rural communities, and a growing number of Native nations are also pausing development. 

Rural residents are even more concerned about impacts like loss of farmland, water use, and rising energy costs than urban and suburban counterparts. While polling shows milder concerns among Republicans, a Washington Post analysis found that social posts and public statements from Republican leaders turned sharply negative in the first half of 2026. 

All of this is happening at a time when trust in big business, government, and other institutions is near all-time lows, and 70% of Americans think “the system is rigged.” This is both a challenge and an opportunity. It’s challenging because widespread frustration has made it harder to mobilize people to take political action. But there’s also real potential to “build a bigger we” by creating a sense of community and leaning into common ground, including anger over the political power of wealthy corporations, and the belief that the government is meant to work for ordinary people. 

Data center development poses serious risks to water affordability, access, and safety, but it also presents an opportunity for advocates to galvanize support for solutions, and build durable power. An Environmental Polling Consortium analysis found that voters support “nearly any policy proposal to regulate data centers,” with especially strong support for rules to protect water sources (82%) and require transparency around energy and water use (82%).