# Growing public backlash against data centers AI-driven data center expansion faces local resistance across communities. - **Source:** [Fortune | FORTUNE](https://brifing.si/source/769282ef-327a-4454-909a-3c7936216004) - **Published:** 2026-07-14 - **Topic:** [Business](https://brifing.si/c/business) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/b8d7c208-d444-4d8c-9d2a-289109d98b31 ## Data center boom Over 30 large and small data center projects have been proposed in Michigan in just two years. The anticipated demand for AI systems is driving need for greater computing capacity. However, this expansion faces mounting opposition from local communities concerned about environmental and social impacts. ## Water resource conflicts A water utility in Ypsilanti refused to supply water for a proposed data center by University of Michigan and Los Alamos National Lab. These facilities' massive cooling requirements strain scarce resources. The university was forced to relocate its project to a neighboring township. ## Colossal energy demands Google's proposed Van Buren Township data center would require 2.7 gigawatts of electricity - equivalent to powering 2 million homes. While energy companies see profit potential, consumers worry about rising utility bills to subsidize these energy-intensive facilities. ## Questionable job promises Tech companies claim data centers bring employment opportunities, but these facilities actually create very few permanent jobs. As local officials focus on property tax revenues, communities increasingly doubt the promised economic benefits. ## Political pressures Michigan legislature passed laws exempting data center operators from sales taxes. Governor Gretchen Whitmer actively courts tech companies, but these incentives heighten tensions between public good and corporate interests. ## Democratic processes at risk Data center controversies reveal conflicts between social values, democratic systems and capitalist interests. Projects advancing despite public opposition raise concerns about transparency and participation in decision-making, questioning representative democracy's effectiveness. ## Sources covering this story - https://fortune.com/2026/07/14/voters-ai-backlash-politicians-lose-seats/ — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._