Virginia, the world’s largest data center market, is home to more than 150 hyperscale data centers —  more than 35% of all hyperscale data centers worldwide. The state is also home to hundreds of smaller data centers with many more in various planning and construction stages. These facilities bring local tax revenue and economic benefits, however, their demand for energy has, in turn, driven up costs for utility customers and increased air pollution. At the same time, utilities have leveraged the surge in use as justification for more methane gas generation and pipeline infrastructure. Additional concerns include data centers’ high water-usage rates, noise pollution and communities being shut out of the decision-making process.

A recent Washington Post-Schar School poll that found support for construction of nearby data centers has plunged from 69% in 2023 to 35% in 2026. The poll also found weakening support for continuing the tax breaks for data centers that are at the heart of a budget stalemate between the Virginia Senate and House of Delegates. The state exempts certain equipment used in data centers from the retail sales and use tax — an exemption that lasts until June 30, 2035, under current law. Support for that exemption plummeted from 61% in 2023 to 26% in the latest poll.

Recent statewide polls confirm similar trends

Other recent polls are revealing similar trends in data center sentiment. A Morning Consult poll of 801 registered Virginia voters conducted on behalf of Stand.earth in April found that Virginians are overwhelmingly concerned about the negative impacts of data center construction: 83% are concerned about rising electricity prices, 76% are concerned about water contamination and 70% are concerned about water scarcity. Seventy-eight percent of poll respondents informed of a recent study detailing the environmental and health costs associated with data centers expressed concern about air pollution caused by data centers — including 75% of Republicans.

Eighty percent of respondents in this poll oppose the sales and use tax exemptions for data centers.

A majority of voters (52%) said, however, that they would be more likely to support a data center in their community if it were powered entirely by renewable energy with no diesel generators or on-site fossil fuel power.

“No matter where you look or who you talk to, it’s clear that the way Big Tech operates its AI data centers is extremely unpopular,” said Nathan Taft, Senior Campaigner on Stand.earth’s Fossil-Free Computing Campaign. “If companies like Microsoft and Amazon want the social license to keep building these projects that overhaul entire landscapes, they need to significantly ramp up investment in renewable energy and do right by local communities.”

Polls show increasing concerns about the impact of data centers on electric utility rates. The Washington Post poll found that 57% of registered voters believe data centers are having a negative impact on residential utility bills — as opposed to only 14% who believe they are helping.

A Global Strategy Group poll conducted with Potential Energy found that voters attribute rising energy costs to demand from data centers and utilities trying to maximize their profits. The poll found strong support for using clean energy to meet growing demand — with 70% supporting more clean energy in Virginia and 62% of Virginians agreeing that, due to rising demand from data centers, we need to build more clean energy sources to keep electricity costs from skyrocketing.

The GSG poll found much antipathy toward data centers: More than 6 in 10 voters had unfavorable views of big tech, AI data centers and monopoly utility companies. Two of the most popular policies tested in the poll require data centers to pay their fair share for upgrading the electricity grid (94% support) and to use clean energy and efficiency measures to meet strong energy targets (72%).

It’s not just Virginia

Negative sentiment about data centers is common among voters nationwide, not just in Virginia, polling shows. A Blue Rose Research poll conducted for Climate Power found that national voters are especially concerned about data centers’ energy consumption and contribution to utility costs. More than twice as many voters (48%) believe the burdens of data centers outweigh the benefits as those who believe the benefits outweigh the negatives (22%).

Most (52%) voters polled oppose the construction of data centers near where people live. And voters were more likely to support construction of new data centers powered by clean energy (53%) than those powered by fossil fuels (31%).