A new survey of Texas likely voters shows broad unease about data centers, with more than 80% concerned about impacts on electricity prices, water, and power outages, 79% supporting limits on new builds, and near-unanimous agreement that owners should pay for any grid expansion.
At the same time, a majority are pessimistic about artificial intelligence, with 65% saying it will hurt society overall, 54% expecting harm to the economy, and voters split almost evenly on whether it will help or hurt them personally.
https://www.uh.edu/news-events/stories/2026/october/10272026-hobby-survey-data-centers-election.php
Hobby School Survey: Texans Report High Levels of Concern Over Data Centers, Artificial Intelligence
Almost eight out of 10 likely voters in Texas support limiting the number of data centers that can be built across the state, with a large majority citing concerns about the impact the massive operations have on electricity costs, water supply and the stability of the grid.