A France 24 program published Oct. 21 described bipartisan resistance to U.S. data centers over local water and electricity demands, placing those concerns alongside inflation ahead of the Nov. 3 midterms.
A Pew Research Center survey cited in earlier EconoTimes coverage of a West Virginia congressional race found 60% of U.S. adults would be uncomfortable with a new data center operating nearby. The share was 54% among Republicans and Republican-leaning adults and 68% among Democrats and Democratic-leaning adults.
The West Virginia contest has featured differing proposals for handling electricity costs and local approval of new facilities. Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory estimated that data centers could account for 11.8% of U.S. electricity use by 2030, within a scenario range of 9.5% to 15.3%.
France 24 described inflation as a continuing issue in competitive districts. Nationally, a Reuters/Ipsos poll found 47% of registered voters chose cost of living as the most important candidate position from its listed options, as EconoTimes reported earlier.
The France 24 program also asked whether stock market swings might affect the pace of AI expansion. Its discussion covered calls for AI regulation, resistance from technology billionaires and the use of AI tools to produce papers and campaign ads.
Voters will decide control of Congress in the Nov. 3 midterms.
