Most Voters Are Unaware of the Construction of Data Centers in Their State and the Environmental Impacts They Cause

Reviewed

National

Study Details

Pollster: Data for Progress
Sponsor: Data for Progress and WE ACT for Environmental Justice
Sponsor Category: Advocacy
Field Dates: Jul 11, 2025 – Jul 12, 2025
Published: Sep 8, 2025
Geography: National
Sample Size: n=1,179
Margin of Error: +/- 3%
Mode: online
Population: U.S. likely voters

View Source

Questions (7)

Q1. Favorability of data centers without providing additional information about what they are and how they function

FavorabilityAI Infrastructure

Favorable34%

Unfavorable21%

Haven't heard enough45%

Crosstabs

Democrats

Response	%	n

Response	%	n
Haven't heard enough	47%

Response	%	n
Haven't heard enough	41%

Q2. Awareness of data centers being built in their state

AwarenessAI Infrastructure

Nothing at all62%

A little29%

Crosstabs

Independents

Response	%	n
Nothing at all	71%

Republicans

Response	%	n
Nothing at all	62%

Democrats

Response	%	n
Nothing at all	58%

Latino voters

Response	%	n
A little	34%
Nothing at all	49%

Black voters

Response	%	n
A little	39%
Nothing at all	51%

White voters

Response	%	n
Nothing at all	66%
A little	26%

Q3. Support for the construction of data centers in their state after reading a short description

Support/OpposeAI InfrastructureEconomic Impact

Support56%

Strongly support16%

Somewhat support40%

Crosstabs

Republicans

Response	%	n
Net support	36%

Democrats

Response	%	n
Net support	17%

Independents

Response	%	n
Net support	14%

White voters

Response	%	n
Net support	26%

Latino voters

Response	%	n
Net support	25%

Black voters

Response	%	n
Net support	20%
Unsure	22%

Q4. Whether state and local government should be doing more or less to reduce the environmental and human health impacts from the construction of data centers

OtherEnvironmentCommunity ImpactRegulation

Should do more48%

Already doing enough29%

Crosstabs

Republicans

Response	%	n
Should do more	41%
Already doing enough	36%

Independents

Response	%	n
Should do more	46%

Democrats

Response	%	n
Should do more	56%

Q5. Message test - Pro-data center vs. pollution-focused anti-data center message

TradeoffEnvironmentEconomic ImpactJobs/Taxes

Crosstabs

Overall (margin)

Response	%	n
Pro-data center message wins	11%

Q6. Message test - Pro-data center vs. economics-based anti-data center message

TradeoffEconomic ImpactElectricity CostsGrid

Crosstabs

Overall (margin)

Response	%	n
Pro-data center message wins	1%

Independents (pollution message)

Response	%	n
Economics-based anti-message	29%

Independents (economics message)

Response	%	n
Economics-based anti-message	50%

Q7. Support for construction of data centers after reading more information about impacts

Support/OpposeAI InfrastructureEnvironmentCommunity Impact

Support51%

Crosstabs

Democrats

Response	%	n
Support	47%

Latino voters

Response	%	n
Net support	-3%