Senator Roger Marshall (R-Kan.) said at Semafor’s World of Work event on Wednesday that many of his constituents are “on fire” against artificial intelligence data centers and that he supports the growing number of local moratoriums in his state.
"Several dozen counties have placed moratoriums [on data centers]," Marshall, who is running for reelection this cycle, told Semafor’s Burgess Everett. "I certainly support their moratoriums."
Why this matters
Opposition to data centers across both political parties could slow the U.S. AI industry, which depends heavily on domestic infrastructure to power large models and cloud services. Concerns about job displacement and local impacts are contributing to negative public attitudes toward AI, complicating efforts by companies building advanced systems.
Tax incentives and infrastructure strain
Marshall said he opposes tax incentives for data centers, arguing they place stress on local infrastructure such as water and electricity and create few permanent jobs once construction is finished. He cited higher electricity rates near Panasonic’s new Kansas plant as an example, warning that surging energy demand can drive up costs for nearby residents.
"I certainly don't want it to drive up other people's electricity costs," he said.
Local decisions, potential federal role
While Marshall supports local moratoriums, he stopped short of endorsing statewide bans like the one recently imposed by New York Governor Kathy Hochul. He argued that decisions about moratoriums should be made at the local — not state or federal — level.
At the same time, he left open the possibility that Congress could act to address national-security implications of AI infrastructure. Marshall warned that advances in AI combined with quantum computing could eventually undermine blockchain technologies and encryption, potentially handing powerful tools to foreign adversaries or terrorists.
Public opinion
A recent Gallup poll found that seven in 10 Americans oppose building data centers where they live, underscoring the breadth of local resistance to new facilities.
Summary
Roger Marshall supports local moratoriums on AI data centers and opposes tax incentives for them due to infrastructure strain and limited long-term job creation. He favors local control over bans but acknowledges a possible congressional role if national-security risks emerge.
