It turns out voters really don’t like data centers, judging from the shellacking the massive artificial intelligence-centered energy and water consumers took in the recent U.S. elections. The latest TipSheet takes a look at where data centers stumbled and how they may fare in locales near you, with questions to ask and resources to report your stories.
"The Trump administration is scaling back or stalling investments that help vulnerable places harden themselves to rising flood and fire threats."
"As Democrats flipped state and federal seats, farm runoff and cancer concerns infiltrated nearly every race."
"Halfway through a 20-year push to get Vermont’s waterways in line with tougher EPA standards, some lawmakers worry the project’s strategies aren’t as cost-effective as they could be — especially as a state-mandated audit was never done."
"The war in Iran, efforts to promote fossil fuels and attacks on renewable energy contributed to higher prices for gas and electricity that drove voter discontent."
"From high-profile Senate races to local rezoning initiatives, data centers and their supporters did miserably on the ballot in the 2026 midterms."
"The state issued a permit that would allow companies to reclassify oil and gas wells and sell toxic wastewater as a separate product."
"From torn nets to decimated local stocks, species drifting in on warmer waters are causing headaches for European fishermen."
"As more than a billion gallons of oil and gas wastewater flood beneath Ohio, pollution concerns reach its heated governor’s race."
"Geologists and hydrologists can use scientific charts and graphs to understand the increasing water challenges facing South Dakota, but it only takes a brief visit to Bear Butte State Park near Sturgis for a non-scientist to see the outcome of decreasing water levels."
