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US Advocates Urge Intelligence Committees to Probe Foreign Influence on Data-Center Opposition
A coalition of affordability advocates has just filed a formal request urging congressional intelligence committees to investigate whether foreign actors are shaping public opposition to new data‑center projects across the United States.
The Coalition for Affordability and Prosperity, led by executive director Chuck Flint, says the request comes amid a rapid expansion of data‑center infrastructure driven by the growth of artificial intelligence (AI), cloud computing, and other high‑performance workloads. Flint told reporters that the U.S. and China are in a race to build the most advanced AI infrastructure, and that the country that completes its data‑center network first could gain a lasting military and economic advantage.
In recent years, the United States has seen a surge in data‑center construction, with technology firms investing billions of dollars to support AI training, inference, and other critical services. The U.S. Energy Information Administration projects the sector’s electricity consumption to double by 2030, while the International Energy Agency estimated that data‑center electricity use in 2024 was about 415 terawatt‑hours—roughly 1.5 % of global demand. The expansion also raises concerns about water use, noise, and strain on local infrastructure.
Flint highlighted coverage from several Chinese state‑run outlets—CGTN, China Daily, and Global Times—that have reported on the environmental and resource impacts of U.S. data‑center projects. He noted that the same outlets criticize U.S. expansion while China is reportedly spending about 2 trillion yuan (roughly $295 billion) over the next five years on its own data‑center build‑out, according to Bloomberg and Reuters reports. “China is warning Americans not to build data centers, yet it is racing to build them,” Flint said.
The coalition also points to Russian state media criticism of U.S. data‑center growth. Flint argued that foreign subsidies for AI infrastructure in China, coupled with efforts that slow U.S. development, create a strategic imbalance. He said that the debate over data‑center construction should be free from “undue foreign influence” and that the public deserves a transparent discussion.
Opposition to new data‑center sites has grown in communities across the country. Residents cite legitimate concerns about energy consumption, water usage, and local environmental impacts. Flint acknowledged these concerns but suggested that some anti‑data‑center activism may be linked to left‑leaning political organizations. He referenced allegations that certain activist groups have ties to organizations that critics say help drive opposition campaigns. No formal findings of wrongdoing have been announced.
The issue has attracted attention from lawmakers. According to Politico, a trio of Republican representatives has called for an FBI investigation into anti‑data‑center nonprofits, arguing that foreign influence campaigns are behind the opposition. The request reflects a broader debate about the role of foreign actors in domestic political movements.
Data‑center developers and local governments continue to navigate the tension between national strategic interests and community concerns. The U.S. government’s intelligence community is expected to review the matter, and the coalition’s request may prompt hearings on the extent of foreign influence in domestic infrastructure debates.
As the AI race accelerates, the construction of data‑center infrastructure is becoming a strategic priority for both the United States and China. The debate over how to manage the environmental, economic, and security implications of these facilities is likely to intensify. The outcome of any investigation into foreign influence will shape how the public and policymakers approach future data‑center projects.
The Coalition for Affordability and Prosperity, led by executive director Chuck Flint, says the request comes amid a rapid expansion of data‑center infrastructure driven by the growth of artificial intelligence (AI), cloud computing, and other high‑performance workloads. Flint told reporters that the U.S. and China are in a race to build the most advanced AI infrastructure, and that the country that completes its data‑center network first could gain a lasting military and economic advantage.
In recent years, the United States has seen a surge in data‑center construction, with technology firms investing billions of dollars to support AI training, inference, and other critical services. The U.S. Energy Information Administration projects the sector’s electricity consumption to double by 2030, while the International Energy Agency estimated that data‑center electricity use in 2024 was about 415 terawatt‑hours—roughly 1.5 % of global demand. The expansion also raises concerns about water use, noise, and strain on local infrastructure.
Flint highlighted coverage from several Chinese state‑run outlets—CGTN, China Daily, and Global Times—that have reported on the environmental and resource impacts of U.S. data‑center projects. He noted that the same outlets criticize U.S. expansion while China is reportedly spending about 2 trillion yuan (roughly $295 billion) over the next five years on its own data‑center build‑out, according to Bloomberg and Reuters reports. “China is warning Americans not to build data centers, yet it is racing to build them,” Flint said.
The coalition also points to Russian state media criticism of U.S. data‑center growth. Flint argued that foreign subsidies for AI infrastructure in China, coupled with efforts that slow U.S. development, create a strategic imbalance. He said that the debate over data‑center construction should be free from “undue foreign influence” and that the public deserves a transparent discussion.
Opposition to new data‑center sites has grown in communities across the country. Residents cite legitimate concerns about energy consumption, water usage, and local environmental impacts. Flint acknowledged these concerns but suggested that some anti‑data‑center activism may be linked to left‑leaning political organizations. He referenced allegations that certain activist groups have ties to organizations that critics say help drive opposition campaigns. No formal findings of wrongdoing have been announced.
The issue has attracted attention from lawmakers. According to Politico, a trio of Republican representatives has called for an FBI investigation into anti‑data‑center nonprofits, arguing that foreign influence campaigns are behind the opposition. The request reflects a broader debate about the role of foreign actors in domestic political movements.
Data‑center developers and local governments continue to navigate the tension between national strategic interests and community concerns. The U.S. government’s intelligence community is expected to review the matter, and the coalition’s request may prompt hearings on the extent of foreign influence in domestic infrastructure debates.
As the AI race accelerates, the construction of data‑center infrastructure is becoming a strategic priority for both the United States and China. The debate over how to manage the environmental, economic, and security implications of these facilities is likely to intensify. The outcome of any investigation into foreign influence will shape how the public and policymakers approach future data‑center projects.
