U.S. — A Pew Research Center survey released in August 2026 shows a rise in the share of U.S. adults who view data centers as harmful to the environment, energy costs and local quality of life compared with earlier in the year. The findings arrive as Texas Gov. Greg Abbott issued a statewide moratorium on new data centers in August 2026.

The survey was conducted from July 20 to Aug. 9, 2026, among 10,548 U.S. adults. It measured attitudes across several dimensions of impact, including environmental effects, household expenses and community well-being.

Concerns about environmental impacts have grown. Sixty percent of U.S. adults say they would be not too or not at all comfortable with a new data center being built near their home, up from 40% in January 2026. Forty-nine percent of U.S. adults say data centers are mostly bad for people’s quality of life nearby, an increase from 30% in January 2026.

Concerns about economic impacts showed smaller increases. Twenty-one percent of U.S. adults say data centers are mostly bad for local tax revenue, an increase from 12% in January 2026.

Few respondents viewed these facilities positively across the board. Four percent of U.S. adults think data centers have a mostly good impact on the environment, home energy costs, quality of life, local jobs, and local tax revenue.

Partisan differences appeared in comfort levels. Fifty-four percent of Republicans say they would be not too or not at all comfortable with a new local data center. Eighty-one percent of liberal Democrats say they would be uncomfortable with a new local data center.

Awareness of data centers rose during the same period. Thirty-five percent of U.S. adults say they have heard or read a lot about data centers, an increase from 25% in January 2026. Eighty-eight percent of U.S. adults say they have heard at least a little about data centers. Twelve percent of U.S. adults say they have not heard of data centers.

At the federal level, President Donald Trump has supported the construction of data centers during his second term. In Miami-Dade County, local officials addressed resident concerns while navigating zoning rules. Miami-Dade County Commissioner Marleine Bastien represents the area where the Iron Mountain data center is planned.

Resident Amy Dawkins lives 1,500 feet from the proposed Iron Mountain data center site. The Miami-Dade Beacon Council is overseeing the Iron Mountain data center project in northwest Miami-Dade. "Under Miami-Dade County's existing zoning regulations, data centers are classified as telecommunications hubs, which are permitted uses on land designated for industrial use," Bastien said. "My commitment has always been, and will always be, to put people first," he said. "I believe it is important to provide clarity," he said.

Why It Matters

The survey documents a broad shift in public opinion over seven months, with double-digit increases in negative assessments of environmental and quality-of-life impacts. These changes coincide with policy actions such as the Texas moratorium and ongoing local negotiations over zoning and community benefits.

The data show that discomfort with nearby facilities spans party lines, though it is higher among Democrats and liberal Democrats. At the same time, awareness of data centers has increased, suggesting that information flows may influence perceptions as projects advance in communities.

Timeline

Iron Mountain made a zoning request before the Community Zoning Appeals Board in 2023 regarding building height and parking requirements. The Pew Research Center survey was conducted from July 20 to Aug. 9, 2026, among 10,548 U.S. adults. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott issued a statewide moratorium on new data centers in August 2026.

What's New

Later reporting identified specific local details surrounding the Iron Mountain project.

Bastien provided additional context on the zoning process and his engagement with residents. "Iron Mountain 1 made a zoning request in front of Community Zoning Appeals Board 8 in 2023, a board made up of community residents and acts independently of myself and the Board of County Commissioners," he said. "In recent weeks, I have heard from many residents with questions and concerns about the proposed Iron Mountain-1 data center," he said.

"That is exactly what I have done by engaging with Iron Mountain-1 to help mitigate impacts and advocate for meaningful community benefits," he said. Commissioner Marleine Bastien stated he worked with the county mayor and the Beacon Council to support legislation securing 30 permanent jobs for the Iron Mountain project.