💡Americans' Views on Datacenters Turn Negative, 54% See Harm to Environment
Datacenters face growing public skepticism
TL;DR
A Pew survey reveals 54% of Americans see datacenters negatively for the environment, up from 39% in January. Skepticism spans demographics and political lines, impacting datacenter expansion.
According to a recent Pew Research Center survey, 54% of Americans now view datacenters as mostly bad for the environment, up from 39% in January. This shift in public opinion is significant for datacenter operators and tech companies relying on these facilities. The survey also found that 60% of respondents would be uncomfortable with a new datacenter nearby, indicating potential challenges for expansion. The movement against datacenters is not limited to a specific demographic; it spans men and women, adults of every age and education level, and urban, suburban, and rural residents. This growing skepticism is driven by concerns over electricity and water consumption, as well as the impact on household utility bills.
Key Points
54% of Americans now view datacenters as mostly bad for the environment, up from 39% in January.
Half of respondents see datacenters as mostly bad for household energy costs, up from 38%.
49% of respondents view datacenters negatively for the quality of life of nearby residents, up from 30%.
60% of respondents would be uncomfortable with a new datacenter operating nearby.
The survey was conducted between July 20 and August 9, 2023, and included 10,548 US adults.
Why It Matters
If you're planning to expand your datacenter operations, the growing public skepticism could impact local approval processes. The shift in views spans demographics and political lines, making it harder to secure community support for new facilities.
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