Data Center Protests: Right-Wing Boomers Mirror the Left.

A conservative movement is emerging, driven by concerns over employment, environmental impact, quality of life, and the influence of China.

In central Florida, a small group convened one Saturday morning outside the Spring Hill Branch Library to protest the planned construction of a hyperscale data center. Despite the Hernando County commission having unanimously enacted a one-year moratorium on such developments in June, the organizers deemed this temporary halt insufficient, advocating instead for an outright ban.

Carol, a 71-year-old retired country music radio host and staunch conservative, who proudly wore a T-shirt featuring an American flag made of sea turtles, declared, "We are going to fight, fight, fight." Manning a table with flyers and a petition for her group, No Data Centers Hernando County, she articulated her primary concern: noise pollution. "How would you like to have one by you? If you live within 15 minutes of a data center, night and day you’re going to hear: EEEENNNAHHHHHHHHHHH," she emphasized, describing the persistent hum.

Beyond the audible disturbance and environmental impact, including claims that data center frequencies harm bees and other pollinators, Carol voiced apprehension about the broader societal implications of widespread AI integration. She recounted an anecdote of an acquaintance who severed ties with friends "because ChatGPT told her to."

Carol further elaborated on this individual's reliance, noting, "She consults with ChatGPT what time she should wake up in the morning, what time she should go to bed, who should be her friends."

This localized demonstration in the Tampa exurb was part of a broader network, one of approximately 150 protests linked to Humans First. This organization identifies itself as a "conservative social movement that is dedicated to ensuring that the future of AI is in the hands of everyday people."

Carol enumerated various perceived detriments of data centers, some of which were presented as more questionable than others. She asserted that cows on nearby ranches were experiencing stillbirths. Furthermore, she raised national security concerns, claiming that hyperscale facilities source components from China, an American adversary. "We’re setting ourselves up," Carol warned, questioning, "Do you know what’s in those chips?" Upon receiving a negative response, she continued incredulously, "We’re blindly trusting the Chinese? To give us chips?" (Conversely, some conservative advocates for data centers allege that China is actively financing anti-AI campaigns within the United States.)

Nationwide, communities are increasingly resisting the development of data centers. A recent Gallup poll revealed that seven out of ten Americans oppose such construction in their vicinity, with objections voiced by nearly two-thirds of Republicans and 75 percent of Democrats. This bipartisan opposition, despite broader political polarization, suggests potential new political alignments. Shared concerns across the political spectrum include the environmental impact of data center development and operation, ethical issues surrounding AI (from surveillance to mental health effects), and fears of diminished quality of life. However, a distinct conservative apprehension also exists: the perceived threat of Chinese technological infiltration into the U.S.

Humans First, originally a bipartisan offshoot of the Center for AI Safety, is led by Amy Kremer, a veteran conservative organizer. Kremer is widely recognized for her significant role in steering the Republican Party towards populism, having been an early Tea Party leader and a co-founder of both Women for Trump and Women for America First. The latter organization notably hosted the "Stop the Steal" rally in Washington, D.C., which preceded the January 6th Capitol riots, though Kremer herself was not involved in the storming of the Capitol.

Despite the partisan affiliations of Humans First and Kremer's prominent political history, the Hernando County rally primarily focused on local issues. The event saw participation from local political figures, including a firefighter campaigning for agricultural commissioner and a Republican candidate for county commissioner. The gathering concluded with a presentation by a land use expert, who detailed strategies for amending zoning codes to preclude the construction of hyperscale data centers—defined as facilities spanning at least 10,000 square feet with a minimum energy demand of 100 megawatts. Notably, Kim Belanger, an IT professional and member of No Data Center Hernando County, shared an informative article on data centers from the progressive website More Perfect Union, which she found valuable despite the conservative leanings of the attendees.

Patti Zirhut, the local organizer, discovered Humans First via Facebook. She explained that participating in the national day of action was a natural fit, as she and her associates had already established No Data Center Hernando County with the aim of preventing data center development in their area.

Zirhut, identifying as "very conservative," stated, "I don’t believe in all the stuff that Democrats believe in at all." However, she expressed a sense of betrayal by Florida’s Republican leadership, particularly Governor Ron DeSantis, whom she initially admired. She criticized his second term, asserting, "he’s been nothing but pro-development, just inviting everybody here, tearing up our state."

While Governor DeSantis has publicly adopted an AI-skeptical stance, signing legislation in May that mandates hyperscale data centers cover their utility expenses and empowers local governments to regulate their water usage, his administration has simultaneously provided millions in tax breaks to data center developers, as reported by the Tampa Bay Times. He also reportedly advocated for modifying the state’s data center tax exemption to exclusively benefit hyperscale facilities.

During their protest, Zirhut and her group discussed potential successors to Governor DeSantis. Belanger underscored the gravity of the upcoming gubernatorial election, calling it "probably the most important governor’s race of your lifetime." She also voiced apprehension regarding a DeSantis-supported ballot amendment aimed at eliminating property taxes for most homeowners, fearing it would deplete county revenues and thereby make data center developments more attractive.

Zirhut declared her firm stance, stating, "If Byron Donalds wins the primary, I’m voting Democrat. I will not vote for him."

The group, including Zirhut, expressed disappointment with Rep. Byron Donalds, the Republican front-runner for governor, who is a vocal proponent of data center construction in Florida. One member remarked, "I just don’t understand why Trump would back him."

In February, Donalds clarified his position, stating, "I’m not anti-data center. I’m pro having a plan," adding that "Data centers are going to be a function of American life going forward." He has also expressed a desire to attract more external investment to Florida, a stance that has since drawn criticism. At an event hosted by The Hill, he articulated his vision: "My vision is to make Florida the financial capital of the world."

Zirhut directly countered this vision, stating, "That is not what we want here in Florida at all."

Donalds’ advocacy for data centers is now alienating some within his own party. Recent campaign advertisements have scrutinized his substantial financial backing from the tech industry, including over $5 million from Leading the Future, a $100 million pro-AI super PAC with notable funders like Andreessen Horowitz and Joe Lonsdale of Palantir, as reported by the Tallahassee Democrat. An additional $500,000 was received from American Mission, also funded by Leading the Future. Donalds appears to be navigating a complex path, attempting to reconcile the interests of his industry donors with the concerns of primary voters, recently announcing legislation designed to prevent data centers from increasing utility costs.

Opposition to data centers extends across Florida, with over 20 counties and municipalities having either debated or enacted moratoria on their construction, according to Politico. In certain areas, this public resistance has successfully deterred developers. For instance, in June, a developer withdrew plans for a contentious 800-acre data center in Citrus County after the county commission approved a one-year moratorium on rezoning applications for such facilities.

Dan Diorio, executive vice president of state policy and government affairs at the Data Center Coalition, an industry lobbying group, informed The Verge that "local moratoriums on data centers would send a signal that the area is closed for business, both for data centers and for other significant economic development projects." However, this outcome is precisely what Zirhut and fellow organizers aim to achieve.

Zirhut clarified that her stance is not against growth itself, but rather against government subsidies for large developers lacking community ties. She advocated for local involvement, stating, "If we could keep it local, with local builders, that would be fine because they know what to do with Florida." She also criticized state agricultural practices, noting, "Even our agriculture commissioner" — Republican Wilton Simpson — "is having people come in and use herbicides and pesticides, spraying our lakes and killing all our vegetation." Furthermore, she expressed concerns about AI’s potential for mass surveillance, an issue heightened by the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office's installation of surveillance technology on local roads.

She summarized her overarching fears: "We don’t want people to lose jobs, and our country to be run by AI, and live like people in China, where our money is controlled and everything we do is looked at."

Despite being a lifelong Republican, Zirhut's opposition to data centers and broader development concerns have prompted her to consider unexpected political compromises.

Reiterating her earlier declaration, she stated, "If Byron Donalds wins the primary, I’m voting Democrat. I will not vote for him," further indicating a willingness to support an independent candidate who opposes data centers. She concluded, "I think a lot of people are like that. It’s not about the party. It’s not. It’s about human life."