# Why Americans oppose data centers now more than ever

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/river-to-river-1060576/why-americans-oppose-data-centers-now-more-than-ever
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/river-to-river-1060576/why-americans-oppose-data-centers-now-more-than-ever.md
Podcast: [River to River](https://stenobird.com/podcast/river-to-river-1060576)
Published: 2026-06-16T12:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://www.iowapublicradio.org/podcast/river-to-river/2026-06-16/why-americans-oppose-data-centers-now-more-than-ever
Audio file: https://traffic.omny.fm/d/clips/4c9587f2-e550-4709-b293-ad0300ce922d/5d200c83-8a20-48a7-ab87-ad51012cafbe/968d275c-d900-46d2-9f2d-b46a0151db44/audio.mp3
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/river-to-river-1060576/episodes/why-americans-oppose-data-centers-now-more-than-ever
Duration seconds: 2886

## Resource

Data centers are massive and thirsty for water and power. Iowans are split on whether they're good neighbors. On this episode, the data center debate as cities and counties throughout the state are weighing potential data center installations. First, a Brookings Institution researcher on what rural communities stand to gain and lose from these developments. Then, Linn County Supervisor Sami Scheetz joins to discuss the ordinance they passed earlier this year and how it compares to other local governments' approaches to recent data center proposals. Iowa’s state geologist discusses whether Iowa's groundwater supply can handle the demand from data centers. And a public health researcher joins to discuss the public health implications from data centers powered by nonrenewable sources.

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## Transcript

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