Overview of Erin Brockovich and the US data centre backlash
This ABC News Daily episode looks at the growing backlash against data centres in the United States and what Australia can learn as its own data centre boom gathers pace. Sam Hawley speaks with Nicole Turner-Lee of the Brookings Institution about why opposition is rising, how Erin Brockovich has become involved in the campaign, and why the issue is quickly becoming politically toxic for both Democrats and Republicans.
What the episode is about
- Data centres have become a major election issue in the US, with voters demanding moratoriums or bans in some areas.
- Community concerns are being driven by:
- high electricity use
- water consumption
- noise and dust
- pollution
- rising power bills
- distrust of Big Tech and AI’s broader impact
- The episode uses the US situation to explore what may happen in Australia as more data centres are proposed.
Erin Brockovich’s role
- Erin Brockovich has joined the anti-data-centre campaign, using her profile to bring attention to community concerns.
- She is involved in transparency efforts, including a crowdsourced map of major AI data centres across the US.
- The point of the mapping project is to help communities see where centres are being built and ask basic questions about:
- who pays for electricity
- how much water is used
- how much land is required
- what the local impacts will be
Why people are pushing back
Community-level impacts
Turner-Lee says the backlash is not abstract — people are reporting real, everyday harms:
- children kept awake by noise
- mattresses placed against windows to reduce sound
- dust building up in backyards and on trampolines
- concern that nearby infrastructure is being burdened without enough local benefit
Public sentiment
- She cites polling showing more than 71% of respondents do not want a data centre in their backyard.
- Many people already feel uneasy about AI, and data centres make that concern visible because they are physical, local developments.
Data centres as a political issue in the US
- The backlash is cutting across party lines.
- Both Democrats and Republicans are being pressured by local residents.
- Some politicians who previously supported data centre growth are now being targeted in campaign ads.
- Ohio is highlighted as an example, where a candidate has become closely associated with data centre expansion.
- The issue is expected to feature heavily in midterm races.
Trump, AI, and the industry
- Donald Trump is portrayed as strongly pro–AI and pro–data centre growth, framing it as part of winning the AI race against China.
- Turner-Lee argues that this message does not resonate with people whose main concern is rising costs and local disruption.
Regulation and what Australia can learn
The case for early guardrails
Turner-Lee says regulation should come early, before the sector becomes too hard to manage.
She points to several possible policy approaches:
- moratoriums
- outright bans
- taxpayer protections
- land-use rules
- clean-energy requirements
Why regulation matters
- Without rules, companies may move from community to community until they find one willing to accept the project.
- She warns against a “Wild West” approach to infrastructure development.
- Early regulation can help prevent stranded assets and ensure communities get a fair deal.
Australia’s position
- Australia already has around 165 data centres operating, with more than 200 in development.
- Some states, including Queensland and the NT, have resisted federal pressure to require renewables.
- National Cabinet has agreed to mandatory rules to manage the boom, with federal laws expected next year.
- Turner-Lee sees Australia’s willingness to set guardrails early as potentially smart policy.
Are there any benefits?
Yes — the episode does not frame data centres as purely negative.
Potential upsides
- Jobs and economic activity
- Infrastructure investment in underfunded areas
- Possible community benefits such as:
- roads
- transportation upgrades
- education funding
- fire stations
- other public works
The main caution
- Communities should not “give away the entire store.”
- Turner-Lee recommends that local governments define their priorities before negotiating with companies.
- The goal should be a win-win for communities, not just for the tech firms.
Key takeaway
The episode’s central message is that data centres are becoming a flashpoint because they sit at the intersection of AI, local infrastructure, energy costs, and public trust. In the US, that backlash is already shaping politics. In Australia, the debate is still early — but the lesson is clear: if governments want the economic benefits, they need transparent rules and community protections now, not later.