New poll: 70% of California voters oppose data centers

Across the East Coast and Midwest, there is growing evidence of data center development driving up electric bills and polluting the environment. In a recent article, the chief executive of PJM, the nation's largest grid operator, labeled the situation "not tenable" – with power prices having increased by more than 400% in the region's capacity market. The Chair of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has openly considered the possibility of 'breaking up' the region, stating that “now, we face historically unprecedented demand – with potentially historically unprecedented, catastrophic failure".

As California legislators weigh up approaches to manage data center development, a new poll commissioned by Net-Zero California and The Utility Reform Network shows that California voters are highly sensitive to the impact data centers are having in other states. This blog summarizes the key results. For more information, see the poll summary memorandum as well as this press release.

Results: California data centers poll

FM3 Research conducted 850 total interviews from May 17-24 of likely November 2026 California voters to gauge their perception and preferences regarding data center policies.

The headline result is that 70% of California voters oppose the construction of data centers in their communities (Figure 1). However, voters move to supporting data centers (63%) with specific guardrails to prevent electric bills from rising and protect the environment (Figure 2).

As it relates to Figure 2, voters identified their preferences for these policies, including that data centers should pay for the grid connection costs (87%), participate in demand-response or load-shifting programs (81%), are held financially responsible in the event of cancelled projects (81%), and buy or build clean energy to meet their energy demand needs (76%) (Figure 3). Voters strongly prefer that these standards are set in law (74%) rather than delegated to the CPUC (12%) (Figure 4).

Lastly, voters expressed support (67%) for streamlined environmental review for data centers that meet high environmental and community benefit standards, including using clean energy, reducing water use, and agreeing community benefits for workforce training and reduction of environmental harms (Figure 5).

SB 886 and SB 887 offer a path forward in California

SB 886 and SB 887, two bills authored by Senator Steve Padilla, would establish guardrails and incentives consistent with voter concerns.

Specifically, SB 886 would establish core ratepayer protections in law, such as ensuring that data centers pay for the grid connection costs, participate in demand-response programs, and are held financially responsible in the event of canceled projects. These base protections are consistent with best available research reports from Harvard, MIT, Princeton, Duke (here and here), Little Hoover Commission, Union of Concerned Scientists, Natural Resources Defense Council, and others. These base protections have also been pledged by technology companies as part of the Ratepayer Protection Pledge.

SB 887 would establish a streamlining incentive for high-standard data centers that bring their own clean energy, utilize efficient cooling systems, and provide community benefits. This can encourage data center development that drives technology innovation and benefits regions throughout the state.

As many first-mover states falter in response to the rush for data center demand, California can set nation-leading standards for affordable and clean data centers. For more information, please contact Sam Uden (sam@netzerocalifornia.org).