Pew Finds Americans Turn Sharply Against Data Centers as Texas Imposes Moratorium
Summary
Americans are turning sharply against data centers as Texas Gov. Greg Abbott imposes a statewide moratorium on new facilities, with 54% now calling them mostly bad for the environment and six in 10 uncomfortable with one operating nearby.
Key Points
- Pew Research Center finds Americans’ views of data centers turn more negative in 2026, with 54% now calling them mostly bad for the environment, up from 39% in January.
- Six in 10 Americans say they would be not too or not at all comfortable with a new data center operating nearby; discomfort reaches 81% among liberal Democrats.
- Texas Gov. Greg Abbott issues a statewide moratorium on new data centers in August after previously backing their expansion.