U.S. mayors resist AI data center expansions over power, water, and equity concerns, demanding transparency and accountability.

America. Citing severe strain on power grids, water supplies, and environmental justice concerns, mayors across the country are opposing the fast growth of AI-driven data centers. Elon Musk's xAI in Memphis and Mississippi, as well as projects by tech giants like Microsoft, Google, Meta, and Amazon, are under fire for running illegal gas turbines and having an adverse effect on low-income communities. Officials claim there is little transparency despite financial incentives in places like Phoenix, and they frequently find projects through utility records. Mayors are calling for more accountability and inclusive planning as the AI boom transforms urban infrastructure, with a 57% majority in a recent NBC News poll believing that the risks of AI outweigh the benefits.