A new Milltown Partners survey and related monitoring data suggest that data center opposition in the U.S. has become national rather than purely local. The report says only 8% of Americans who oppose data centers actually live near one, while data center buildout plans face delays and blocks across multiple states. The survey notes record AI infrastructure spending commitments and points to public backlash as a growing constraint on timelines and project approvals. It also cites monitoring data indicating at least 75 data center projects were delayed or blocked in the first quarter of 2026, with cumulative project values in the $130 billion range. Tech firms are responding with public outreach campaigns, but the findings suggest conventional community engagement strategies may not match the scale or motivation of broader public concerns, particularly when opposition centers on the perceived impact of AI rather than the facility itself.