The Tech Policy Press Podcast Across the US, Activists Are Organizing to Oppose Data Centers
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Sep 14, 2025 In this engaging discussion, Steven Renderos, Executive Director of MediaJustice, and Vivek Bharathan from the No Desert Data Center Coalition, dive into the explosive growth of data centers and the rising community resistance against them. They explore the environmental and social ramifications of these facilities and detail grassroots efforts in Tucson to oppose a controversial project. Their insights reveal the power of local activism, the importance of coalition-building, and the critical need for accountability in the tech industry as communities fight back against corporate dominance.
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Data Centers Are The New Infrastructure Play
- Big tech is investing heavily in physical infrastructure like data centers to power AI growth.
- These deployments reshape local economies and concentrate corporate influence over communities.
Surprise Land Sale Sparks Tucson Campaign
- Tucson activists learned about a proposed 290-acre data center only after the county moved to sell the land.
- The Pima County supervisors voted 3-2 to sell despite community opposition and secrecy around the deal.
Escalate Wins To State-Level Organizing
- Mobilize across municipal and state levels when a local win isn't final.
- Prepare to escalate fights to statewide regulators like utility commissions if developers shift tactics.