US data centers use enough electricity to power upwards of 16 million homes annually – the statistics on why opposition groups are pushing for People Over Profit
US data centers consumed enough electricity in 2023 to power over 16 million homes, accounting for approximately 4.4% of national electricity use. As AI-driven demand grows, projections suggest data centers could use 10-20% of US electricity by 2024. Local opposition, symbolized by the 'People Over Profit' movement, is rising due to concerns about noise, pollution, and infrastructure strain.
- ▪In 2023, US data centers consumed around 176 TWh of electricity, enough to power more than 16 million homes annually.
- ▪The Electric Power Research Institute estimated that AI data centers could account for 10-20% of US electricity consumption in 2024.
- ▪Local opposition to data centers has grown, with residents reporting health issues from infrasound and objecting to the use of polluting natural gas generators.
- ▪Nearly half of all planned US data centers in 2026 have been delayed or cancelled due to energy, supply, and community opposition challenges.
- ▪The 'People Over Profit' movement gained national attention, particularly after protests in Box Elder County, Utah, influenced broader resistance efforts.
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Pro US data centers use enough electricity to power upwards of 16 million homes annually – the statistics on why opposition groups are pushing for People Over Profit Features By Benedict Collins published 17 May 2026 Americans opposed to data centers want People Over Profit When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works. (Image credit: Shutterstock) Copy link Facebook X Whatsapp Reddit Pinterest Flipboard Threads Email Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Subscribe to our newsletter So far in 2026, almost half of all planned data centers in the US have been delayed or cancelled, with the barriers ranging from chip shortages to insufficient energy infrastructure.But…
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