US Voters to Consider At Least 62 Data Centre Measures

Ballot measures that would delay, prohibit or impose new requirements on data centres are set to go before voters alongside Tuesday’s midterm elections, according to the non-partisan research group Ballotpedia.

Voters in more than a dozen jurisdictions will consider 21 proposals, while voters in 38 local jurisdictions will consider at least 41 measures concerning data centres. These sprawling facilities provide the computing power required to run artificial intelligence applications.

Opposition crosses political lines

The votes are taking place across 10 US states amid opposition to some data centre developments. Most states require petition drives or other demonstrations of public support before a measure can qualify for the ballot.

The appearance of these proposals reflects growing opposition across the political spectrum. According to an advocate, support for banning construction of certain data centres was coming from both Democrats and Republicans.

Resistance is especially visible in Ohio, which is one of the country’s fastest-growing data centre markets. The range of proposals includes measures that could delay construction, prohibit certain projects or impose new requirements on the facilities. Together, the measures show how data centre development has become a subject of local voting and political opposition in multiple jurisdictions.

Source: South China Morning Post