STATE OF FRIDAY: The Biggest Loser Besides The GOP Tuesday? Data Centers

Voters across several states strongly backed measures restricting data-centre development in Tuesday’s elections, making the industry a notable loser alongside Republicans. The results suggest opposition to the facilities crosses party lines and could put pressure on politicians to address concerns about their local costs.

Ten states considered 41 local data-centre measures on Tuesday; across 50 measures tracked in 13 states this year, 46 of the 47 decided by Wednesday favoured restrictions. In Ohio, 11 proposed charter amendments were expected to pass, some with more than three-quarters of the vote, despite technology companies contributing over $400,000 to oppose them. An October poll cited in the article found 72 per cent of Americans opposed a new data centre in their community, amid concerns about electricity bills, water use and limited long-term employment.