Observed Signal · Sep 2, 2026 · Regulation · Source: CNBC Investing · Impact: 3/5 · Sentiment: Negative
Berkshire CEO Abel Cites Growing Data Center Pushback
Berkshire Hathaway CEO Greg Abel told CNBC that U.S. communities are showing significantly more resistance to data center construction. Abel stated that Berkshire's interest in providing power and electricity for these sites is conditional on not raising rates for its other customers. His comments highlight growing organized political opposition to large computing projects that strain local power and water resources. New York State has enacted a moratorium on data center construction, and other states have pending restrictions of varying intensity. Mizuho analysts noted that investors view data centers as a potential issue in the upcoming midterm elections, citing concerns about resource consumption and limited long-term job creation. The U.S. currently has approximately 4,700 data centers, a number that continues to grow.
Growing political and regulatory resistance to data center construction could slow digital and AI infrastructure expansion, affecting the tech and advertising ecosystem that depends on hyperscale computing capacity.
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Key Takeaways & Evidence Grounding
- Berkshire Hathaway CEO Greg Abel said there is 'a lot more pushback' on data center construction across U.S. communities.
- Berkshire's interest in data center power generation is conditional on not raising rates for other customers.
- New York State has enacted a moratorium on data center construction.
- There are approximately 4,700 data centers in the U.S., and the number is growing.
- Mizuho analysts said investors view data centers as a potential issue in the upcoming midterm elections.
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Governors, Shapiro Respond to Data Center Backlash
The rapid build-out of large data centers has become a late-breaking political issue, prompting moratoriums and policy responses in multiple U.S. states. New York and Texas governors havepaused or halted approvals for hyperscale projects amid concerns about power, water use, land consumption and local quality-of-life impacts. Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro instead signed an executive order requiring developer local approvals and 'good citizenship' commitments—paying for power, conserving water, hiring locally and transparency—while asking residents to report proposals. Polling shows broad public opposition to local data-center construction. The debate balances local environmental and land-use concerns against economic benefits such as tax revenue and community spending tied to new facilities.
Cramer: Data Center Trade Under Attack
CNBC’s Jim Cramer said political pushback against data-center projects — over electricity, water use and local concerns — could slow the sector’s buildout and pressure valuations for companies that have benefited from the AI infrastructure boom. He warned that tougher rules and community resistance in states like Pennsylvania and Texas may make the market harder for smaller, speculative data-center developers. Cramer said that larger hyperscalers with deeper pockets — Amazon, Alphabet, Microsoft and Meta — are likely to benefit because they can absorb regulatory and community costs, reduce competition for land, labor and power, and continue building AI infrastructure. He noted that suppliers and memory companies tied to the data-center trade could see premium valuations trimmed even if demand stays strong.
Poll: People Prefer Warehouse Over Data Center
Two recent U.S. polls show significant public skepticism about building data centers in local communities. A Harvard/MIT poll of 1,000 respondents conducted in November found 40% supported building a data center in their area and 32% opposed, while two-thirds worried a new data center would push electricity prices higher. Axios noted more people would prefer an e-commerce warehouse in their neighborhood than a data center. A separate Quinnipiac University poll of 1,397 U.S. adults found 65% oppose building an AI data center in their community and just 24% in favor. The coverage argues that growing local opposition to data centers is becoming a political issue and may affect future siting decisions and public debate.
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