Monterey Park Voters Permanently Ban Data Centers as 70% of Americans Oppose Local AI Projects
Updated
Updated · TPM · Jun 23
Monterey Park Voters Permanently Ban Data Centers as 70% of Americans Oppose Local AI Projects
3 articles · Updated · TPM · Jun 23
Summary
Monterey Park voters approved a ballot measure permanently barring data centers, citing risks to air quality, drinking water and public health after local backlash to a proposed AI facility.
70% of Americans oppose AI data centers in their communities—75% of Democrats and 63% of Republicans—making the issue a rare bipartisan flashpoint despite deep national polarization.
At least 75 projects worth about $130 billion were stalled or blocked in the first three months of 2026, as communities pushed back over power bills, water use, noise, land demands and tax breaks.
More than 800 groups across 49 states are fighting roughly 1,500 planned data centers, though analysts warn the cross-party coalition could fracture as the 2026 midterm campaign turns the issue partisan.