$130B in Data Center Projects Blocked by Protests in 2026
Ars Technica AI2 days agoBusinessArs Technica reports that community protests have blocked $130 billion in data center projects so far this year. The article frames opposition to AI data centers as a growing political force, with successful campaigns giving residents a sense of power. For AI builders and investors, the story highlights local resistance as a material constraint on infrastructure expansion.
Shelbyville mayor says only people in ‘shitty houses’ oppose data center
The Verge AI8 days agoEthicsA proposed $2 billion data center in Shelbyville, Indiana, has become a local political flashpoint. The controversy intensified after Mayor Scott Furgeson was caught on camera discussing “No Data Center” signs around town and linking opposition to people living in “shitty houses.” The story highlights how AI infrastructure projects can trigger community backlash, especially when public officials dismiss or insult residents’ concerns.