What the US Anti-Data-Center Movement Can Learn From the Rest of the World
Paris Marx, author of Hyperscale, has spent years tracking global data-center development. From Ireland to New Zealand, the US has plenty to learn.
By Molly Taft | October 25, 2026
As hyperscale data centers multiply across the United States—driven by surging demand for AI compute in 2026—local opposition has grown louder and more organized. But according to Paris Marx, author of Hyperscale, the US movement is still catching up to what communities elsewhere have already learned.
A Global Playbook
Marx has documented data-center battles in Ireland, the Netherlands, New Zealand, and beyond. In each case, residents and activists have confronted the same core issues: strain on power grids, water consumption, tax incentives, and the sheer scale of facilities that can dwarf local infrastructure.
Lessons for the US
- Grid strain is a local issue with global echoes. Ireland's experience—where data centers now consume a significant share of the national electricity supply—offers a cautionary tale for US regions facing similar pressure.
- Community organizing works. From New Zealand to European towns, grassroots campaigns have forced regulators and companies to respond through zoning fights, moratoriums, and transparency demands.
- Policy tools matter. Marx points to how other countries have used planning rules, energy tariffs, and disclosure requirements to shape where and how data centers are built.
As US cities and states grapple with the 2026 AI infrastructure boom, Marx argues that the most effective responses will come from studying—and adapting—the strategies already tested abroad.
via Wired AI