Politics
AI data center expansion and political spending draw scrutiny
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AI data center expansion and political spending draw scrutiny
Construction of an OpenAI- and Oracle-backed facility proceeded after local opposition, and AI-linked PACs spent millions in a New York primary.
- The OpenAI- and Oracle-backed data center in Saline, Michigan, broke ground after local officials voted to reject it and a lawsuit forced a settlement.
- In New York's congressional Democratic primary, PACs linked to Anthropic and OpenAI spent millions lobbying for and against "AI safety."
- The Trump administration signaled it would override state objections and use federal lands for AI infrastructure development.
Latest developments
- Community protests in the US have disrupted or delayed at least 75 major AI data center projects valued at $130 billion in early 2026.
- The number of active opposition groups has doubled from 396 to 833 across 49 states since the start of 2026.
- Some companies, including Blackstone-owned QTS, have abandoned major AI data center projects amid community opposition.
Coverage
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