Tech

The backlash about data centers might really just be about electricity

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Based on a feed excerpt; full article content has not been acquired. Source evidence retrieved 09/11/2026, 20:05:24 UTC.

Briefings

The article argues that public backlash against data centers is driven primarily by electricity consumption rather than corporate power dynamics. In Virginia's Data Center Alley, the author visited facilities like Equinix, noting they rely on local grid power (Dominion Energy) and diesel backup. Activists like Elena Schlossberg emphasize the cultural war aspect, while the author suggests the physical strain on the grid is the real issue. The text highlights that many AI data centers are built in rural areas without grid access, forcing them to use on-site gas turbines or diesel generators, which causes significant air pollution and community disruption.

Key points

• Virginia's Data Center Alley features concrete monolithic buildings like Skybox and CloudHQ where most facilities connect to the local Dominion Energy grid rather than using on-site power.
• Activist Elena Schlossberg states she is 'always banging my head against the wall' regarding the industry's framing of the conflict as a culture war rather than an energy issue.

Context

The article was published in The Algorithm's weekly newsletter on AI. It was written during the 2026 US midterms, following a period of intense data center protests. The author, based in Ashburn, Virginia, observes that while the industry frames the conflict as a cultural issue, the physical reality of grid strain is the primary driver of opposition.

Limitations

Evidence is limited to the author's personal observations in Virginia and general industry context; specific numbers for national grid strain are not provided. The article does not name specific cities or regions beyond Virginia and Memphis, nor does it contain direct quotes from named individuals other than Elena Schlossberg.

Generated by Bittrees-hosted qwen35-2b sha256:aaf42c8b7c3c on 09/11/2026, 20:08:42 UTC. Based on publisher-provided feed evidence; may not cover the full original article. Check the source for details.

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