The Self-Destructive Opposition to Data Centers
Factual Misrepresentation
How They Deceive You
Propaganda
High factual errors on water, power, and noise impacts combined with dismissive framing distort the issue into manufactured panic.
Main Device
Factual Misrepresentation
Directly asserts data centers cause negligible resource strain despite documented evidence to the contrary.
Archetype
Silicon Valley infrastructure booster
Treats data center expansion as unquestioned economic necessity and casts regulatory caution as irrational obstruction.
Uses factual inaccuracies and moral-panic labeling to dismiss documented environmental costs while praising unchecked development.
Writer's Worldview
“Silicon Valley infrastructure booster”
3 findings
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Narrative Analysis
The National Review editorial accurately tracks recent state-level restrictions on data centers and public polling trends, yet it misstates measurable infrastructure impacts by labeling documented resource use as unfounded.
Key Findings
- Factual inaccuracies on resource use: The piece asserts that data centers “do not use a notable amount of water,” “do not tend to increase the cost of electricity,” and “are not unusually noisy.” Public records show hyperscale facilities can draw up to 5 million gallons of water daily for cooling, U.S. data centers consumed 176 TWh of electricity in recent federal tallies (4.4 percent of national total), and operational noise levels near some sites exceed 90 dB. These figures come from government and engineering reports rather than activist claims.
- Selective presentation of concerns: The editorial acknowledges taxpayer subsidies and eminent domain as legitimate objections but dismisses water, power, and noise issues as “nonsense” or “sensationalist.” This creates an impression that opposition rests mainly on emotion, even though state audits in Texas and Pennsylvania were triggered by grid reliability and ratepayer cost projections.
- Framing of policy responses: Actions by Governors Hochul, Shapiro, and Abbott are described as “indulging” sentiment in an election year. The text notes the sequence of moratoriums and audits but does not examine the underlying state studies that prompted them, such as projected electricity demand growth or local water allocation limits.
Source Context
National Review’s editorial voice consistently favors limited government intervention and market-led development. The piece reflects that orientation by contrasting the three governors’ moves with a more permissive federal posture, without examining whether the cited state reviews contain technical findings that would justify caution regardless of political timing.
What the Article Handles Well
It correctly reports the rapid shift in state policy across party lines and Gallup’s finding that only 7 percent of Americans strongly favor new local data centers. These details are verifiable and presented without distortion.
Bottom Line
The editorial supplies a clear account of political momentum against data-center expansion and rightly flags subsidy and eminent-domain questions. Its technical claims about water, electricity, and noise, however, contradict available engineering and federal data, leaving readers without a full picture of the infrastructure trade-offs under discussion.
Further Reading
No additional coverage links were available in the source material for direct comparison.
Neutral Rewrite
Here's how this article reads with loaded language removed and missing context included.
State Actions on Data Center Projects Reflect Infrastructure and Local Concerns
Governors in New York, Pennsylvania, and Texas have recently taken steps to limit or review new data center projects. In August 2026, New York Governor Kathy Hochul issued an executive order establishing a moratorium on hyperscale data center installations. Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro shifted from prior support for such projects, referring to some developers as “bullies” and “speculators,” and introduced what his office described as the strictest regulatory standards in the country. Texas Governor Greg Abbott directed a pause on new approvals pending a state audit expected to last several months. Similar measures have been discussed in other states ahead of the November elections.
Public opinion data indicate a shift in attitudes. A Gallup survey released earlier in 2026 found that 7 percent of respondents strongly favored building a data center in their area, with majorities expressing opposition when asked about proximity to their homes. Respondents cited factors including water consumption, electricity rates, environmental effects, and noise. One year earlier, polling showed greater ambivalence on the topic.
Some policy responses address specific practices. Officials in multiple states have stated that tax incentives for data center construction should be limited and that eminent domain powers should not be applied to these projects. Zoning rules have also been updated in several localities to require setbacks or noise mitigation where facilities are sited near residential areas.
Data center operations involve measurable resource use. Facilities typically rely on evaporative cooling systems that can consume between 300,000 and 1 million gallons of water per day for a large installation, according to engineering assessments from the Department of Energy and utility reports. Electricity demand varies by scale; a single hyperscale campus can require 100 megawatts or more, contributing to regional grid planning discussions in states experiencing rapid load growth. Noise levels from cooling fans and backup generators have prompted complaints in some communities, leading to local ordinances that set decibel limits.
Proponents of expanded data center construction point to employment and revenue effects. During a recent public appearance, President Trump stated that such facilities bring “enormous” jobs and tax payments and that communities accepting them would avoid being “left behind.” He linked the projects to advances in artificial intelligence and medical innovation. Industry estimates project tens of thousands of construction and operations positions nationwide over the next decade, along with property tax contributions in host counties.
Opponents, including some state legislators and local advocacy groups, emphasize long-term infrastructure costs. Utility filings in several states project that new data center demand could require additional generation capacity or transmission upgrades, with potential effects on retail rates depending on cost allocation. Water withdrawal permits have drawn scrutiny in drought-prone regions, where competing agricultural and municipal needs are also tracked by state agencies.
The United States has incorporated successive waves of infrastructure and technology projects since the early 20th century. These include automobile manufacturing plants, radio transmission towers, commercial airports, semiconductor fabrication sites, satellite and GPS networks, and expanded natural gas extraction. Each period involved regulatory adjustments at federal, state, and local levels before widespread deployment.
Current data center capacity in the United States exceeds 10 gigawatts, with additional projects under construction or proposed. Global demand tied to cloud services and AI training continues to rise, according to market analyses from research firms. Decisions on siting therefore determine which jurisdictions capture associated construction spending, ongoing tax receipts, and direct employment.
State audits and moratoriums are scheduled to conclude at different times through early 2027. Outcomes will depend on data collected regarding water permits, grid interconnection studies, and noise measurements at existing sites. Federal policy on permitting timelines and tax treatment remains under discussion in Congress.
Investigation Log · 30 steps
Starting investigation...
Investigating National Review
Investigating The Editors National Review
Source: National Review
National Review is a biweekly magazine of news and opinion founded in 1955 and published in New York City with a circulation of 75,000 as of 2022. It positions itself as a leading conservative magazine covering news, politics, current events, and culture with detailed analysis and commentary. Britannica describes it as the leading conservative journal in the United States.
Source: The Editors National Review
The Editors is a semiweekly podcast produced by National Review's senior editorial staff, including hosts like Rich Lowry, Charles C. W. Cooke, Jim Geraghty, and others. It holds high ratings (4.5/5 on Apple Podcasts from 4.9K ratings; 4.7/5 on Spotify from 888 ratings) and covers current political events, legislation, and cultural topics with editor's picks from the magazine.
Searching for "Governor Hochul New York data center moratorium executive order"
Verify claim of first hyperscaler moratorium in NY
Searching for "Governor Shapiro Pennsylvania data centers "bullies" "strictest guardrails""
Verify PA policy reversal and rhetoric
Searching for "Governor Abbott Texas data center approvals halt audit"
Verify Texas data center approval freeze
Searching for "Gallup poll data centers favor oppose 7 percent strongly favor"
Verify polling claim on public opposition
Searching for "data centers water usage electricity prices noise pollution facts"
Verify claims that data centers use little water, don't raise electricity costs, low noise
Factual Error
Claimed data centers "do not use a notable amount of water," "do not tend to increase the cost of electricity," and "are not unusually noisy" while calling opposition a "moral panic."
Misleads readers on actual environmental and infrastructure impacts, downplaying legitimate local concerns.
Cherry-Picking
Highlighted only unsubstantiated or minor concerns while ignoring documented water consumption, grid strain, and health projections.
Creates false impression that opposition lacks any factual basis.
Framing
Framed state actions by Hochul, Shapiro, Abbott as "indulging" a "moral panic" and "self-destructive," while praising Trump's pro-development stance.
Presents regulatory caution as irrational crowd-following rather than legitimate policy response.
Writing analysis narrative
Writing verdict summary
Writing neutral rewrite
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Analysis narrative ready
Neutral rewrite ready
**Investigation complete.** National Review (conservative outlet founded by William F. Buckley) editorial accurately reports the 2026 state actions (Hochul NY moratorium via EO 62, Shapiro PA GRID requirements, Abbott TX audit halt) and Gallup poll (7% strongly favor). However, it contains high-severity factual errors by asserting data centers "do not use a notable amount of water," "do not tend to increase the cost of electricity," and "are not unusually noisy" while labeling opposition a "moral panic." Documented data shows large facilities use up to 5M gallons/day, U.S. data centers consumed 176 TWh (4.4% of electricity), and noise can exceed 90 dB with projected health costs. The piece cherry-picks and frames regulatory responses as crowd-pleasing rather than infrastructure-driven. Propaganda grade: **D**. Main device: factual misrepresentation. Archetype: Silicon Valley infrastructure booster.
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