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When can a power company take your land for data center infrastructure?

theconversation.com

July 20, 2026

4 min read

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56/100

Summary

The U.S. is experiencing a significant increase in data center construction, with over 3,000 existing data centers and an additional 1,500 in development. A Pew Research Center analysis indicates that 70% of Americans oppose AI data centers in their communities due to concerns about higher utility bills, pollution, and noise.

Key Takeaways

There are over 3,000 data centers in the U.S., with an additional 1,500 under development, driven by the AI boom.
Data centers accounted for more than 4% of the nation’s total electricity use in 2024, leading to increased demand for power and transmission lines.
Power companies are using eminent domain to acquire land for transmission lines needed to support data centers, often facing opposition from landowners.
The U.S. Supreme Court's interpretation of "public use" in eminent domain cases has allowed for the seizure of private property for economic development, prompting reforms in 45 states.

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Community Sentiment

Negative

Positives

There’s potential for ultra-high-voltage DC lines to connect renewable energy sources to major power users, which could alleviate infrastructure strain.
Using eminent domain for power lines to support data centers could be a necessary compromise for the greater good, highlighting the need for new infrastructure.

Concerns

Using eminent domain for data centers primarily benefits private industries, raising ethical concerns about socializing risks while privatizing profits.
The current approach to building data centers seems to ignore the local communities' needs, leading to infrastructure strain and public backlash.