Showalter Quoted on Voter Backlash to Data Center Expansion
Daily Journal
Partner J. Michael Showalter was quoted in a recent article discussing growing voter opposition to data center development and the potential impact of local bans and moratoriums on future projects.
The election results reflect increasing community concerns about the size and pace of data center construction, as well as electricity consumption, water use, noise, and the broader impact of artificial intelligence (AI).
Mike said, “This feels very new to people and very frightening.”
Public anxiety surrounding AI may also be contributing to the opposition, with data centers providing residents a tangible way to raise concerns through zoning and other local approval processes.
“Bigger developments just may take more time,” he said.
Mike noted that potential legal challenges to data center bans and moratoriums will depend on the jurisdiction. “The harder questions will be who has the authority to restrict them, what happens to projects already in the pipeline, and whether those restrictions are legally durable,” he added.
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