Data centers, like this Facebook facility in Prineville, are deeply unpopular in Oregon, according to new polling. Photo: Meg Roussos/Bloomberg via Getty Images
New polling suggests many Oregonians are deeply unhappy with the construction of data centers in their communities.
61% of respondents to their survey viewed AI negatively, polling firm DHM research found .
A bigger share, 71%, held a negative view of data centers.
A sizable majority (67%) supported a temporary halt on data center construction, and even more (77%) opposed providing tax breaks to companies building the facilities.
Between the lines: The firm surveyed 600 Oregon voters from July 23 to 28, and the poll had a margin of error of 4%.
The latest: Hillsboro recently became the first Oregon city to enact a moratorium on new data center construction as unease about their impacts on the electrical grid and environment grows.
What's next: An advisory committee is expected to release draft recommendations on how to regulate data centers in Oregon later this year.
