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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.