Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Data centers powering everything from Google searches and streaming services to artificial intelligence are rapidly becoming a major issue on the campaign trail, as voter opposition to the massive facilities surges ahead of November’s midterm elections.
For years, Democratic and Republican leaders alike courted data centers, touting billions of dollars in investment, construction jobs and tax revenue. But the rapid AI buildout has brought growing concerns about electricity costs, water consumption, land use, noise and tax incentives.
A new Heatmap Pro poll illustrates how dramatically public sentiment has shifted. Seventy-five percent of Americans now say they would oppose a data center being built near where they live, up from 42% a year ago.
#montana #montanamoment #nbcmontana #mtwx #news #nationalnews #national #politics #politicalnews #prize #datacenter #liability #campaign #artificialintelligence #ai
FULL STORY: nbcmontana.com/news/nation-world/from-political-prize-to-campaign-liability-data-centers-become-a-midterm-battleground-campaign-trail
Stay up to date with our digital and social media content:
Facebook: facebook.com/NBCMontana
Twitter: twitter.com/NBCMontana
Instagram: instagram.com/nbc_montana
Latest local news and weather: nbcmontana.com
Latest Weather Forecast: nbcmontana.com/weather
Download our App: nbcmontana.com/station/nbc-montana-news-and-weather-app
Share Your Photos and Videos: NBCMontana.com/ChimeIn
Send us News Tips: ml-Missoula-KECI-News@sbgtv.com
Call our newsroom: 406-721-5642
NBC Montana is a MT based station and a NBC Television affiliate owned and operated by Sinclair Broadcast Group. Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc. is one of the largest and most diversified television broadcasting companies in the country today. Sinclair owns and operates, programs, or provides sales services to 163 television stations in 77 markets, after pending transactions.
Data centers powering everything from Google searches and streaming services to artificial intelligence are rapidly becoming a major issue on the campaign trail, as voter opposition to the massive facilities surges ahead of November’s midterm elections.
For years, Democratic and Republican leaders alike courted data centers, touting billions of dollars in investment, construction jobs and tax revenue. But the rapid AI buildout has brought growing concerns about electricity costs, water consumption, land use, noise and tax incentives.
A new Heatmap Pro poll illustrates how dramatically public sentiment has shifted. Seventy-five percent of Americans now say they would oppose a data center being built near where they live, up from 42% a year ago.
#montana #montanamoment #nbcmontana #mtwx #news #nationalnews #national #politics #politicalnews #prize #datacenter #liability #campaign #artificialintelligence #ai
FULL STORY: nbcmontana.com/news/nation-world/from-political-prize-to-campaign-liability-data-centers-become-a-midterm-battleground-campaign-trail
Stay up to date with our digital and social media content:
Facebook: facebook.com/NBCMontana
Twitter: twitter.com/NBCMontana
Instagram: instagram.com/nbc_montana
Latest local news and weather: nbcmontana.com
Latest Weather Forecast: nbcmontana.com/weather
Download our App: nbcmontana.com/station/nbc-montana-news-and-weather-app
Share Your Photos and Videos: NBCMontana.com/ChimeIn
Send us News Tips: ml-Missoula-KECI-News@sbgtv.com
Call our newsroom: 406-721-5642
NBC Montana is a MT based station and a NBC Television affiliate owned and operated by Sinclair Broadcast Group. Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc. is one of the largest and most diversified television broadcasting companies in the country today. Sinclair owns and operates, programs, or provides sales services to 163 television stations in 77 markets, after pending transactions.
