Data center backlash sparks wave of Change.org petitions in 2025 – Fast Company

In 2025, there was a significant backlash against data centers across the U.S., leading to a surge in petitions on Change.org, with at least 113 petitions gathering around 50,000 signatures. Communities expressed concerns over energy consumption, environmental impacts, and utility costs associated with these projects. Notable petitions included opposition to a data center in Landover, Maryland, and a proposed complex in Palm Beach County, Florida. Local opposition has resulted in the blocking or delaying of numerous data center projects, prompting calls for a moratorium on AI data center construction to allow for public discourse on the issue.