AI data centers spark threats and violence across U.S. local governments

The mayor of Marshall, Michigan, issued a one-year pause on AI data center construction on August 3, 2024. Just ten days later, city council members received death threats. Marshall Mayor Scott Wolfersberger was informed by police that he had been threatened with death, and the investigation is ongoing. Councilman James Hackworth confirmed that they had received real death threats. Meanwhile, an unknown individual posted a threatening message on the Facebook page of Salix, Iowa, urging the local government to stop the construction of a data center. These incidents represent verbal threats, but the situation escalated in April when Ron Gibson, a city council member in Indianapolis, was shot 13 times at his home after supporting a land use plan for a data center. As of now, over 500 local governments in the U.S. have implemented restrictions on data centers, including halting construction, suspending approvals, and imposing bans. Concerns from residents include the energy consumption, infrastructure strain, land use, and environmental impact of these projects.