Utilities are in the crosshairs of the data center backlash
From Open Circuit by Latitude Media
May 8, 2026 · 1h 4m
About this episode
The episode discusses the growing bipartisan backlash against data centers and the role of utilities in this opposition.
Data center opposition is now being called “the most bipartisan issue since beer.” In Indiana, Maine, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Wisconsin, voters across the political spectrum are turning sharply against the large campuses powering AI. At least 28 of the 38 states that currently offer tax incentives are weighing whether to roll them back. On this episode of Open Circuit, we dig into what's actually driving the revolt, and why it's more complicated than simple NIMBYism. Utilities are at the center of the backlash. Governors are increasingly targeting them as anger grows over opaque deals and rising rates. Last week, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro sent a letter to his state's utilities declaring that "the 20th century utility model is broken." We break down what he's actually proposing and what it says about the impossible position governors now find themselves in. Later in the show, Latitude Media senior reporter Maeve Allsup to talk about her reporting on the backlash from Indiana, where a $5 billion data center has run headfirst into decades of broken promises and soaring utility bills. We’ll also take a quick look at PJM's reformed interconnection queue, open for the…
People in this episode
Hosts: Stephen Lacey, Jigar Shah, Caroline Golin
Guest: Maeve Allsup
Topics covered
- data centers
- utility backlash
- political opposition
- energy policy
- NIMBYism
- grid buildout
Keywords
- data centers
- utilities
- backlash
- NIMBYism
- energy policy
- Josh Shapiro
- PJM
- Indiana
- tax incentives
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Latitude Media, PJM
Places: Indiana, Maine, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Wisconsin
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