Two years prior, news articles were flooded with stories about enormous AI data centers. A year prior, whispers of unease started to emerge. As we approach the final quarter of 2026, those whispers of dissent have grown into a loud chorus of opposition.
Whether it’s residents grumbling about water, electricity, or noise pollution, or governmental authorities placing restrictions on data centers, resistance has become a hot topic of discussion. It’s not surprising then that several conferences were held at the recent Data Center World Power event in Dallas, which took place in September.
The problem was discussed in sections 21-23. Data center detractors express their most significant concerns regarding potential power outages, as well as prospective increases in electricity costs within the vicinity. Data centers are reportedly contributing to rising electricity prices in certain areas.
Consequently, numerous developers of these facilities have indicated their readiness to finance improvements that will aid their initiatives. Certain individuals have invested in complete battery energy storage systems (BESS), which are advantageous for both the grid and their data centers.
