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Bessent Rebukes US AI Builders Over Community Backlash to Data Centers

September 2, 2026 at 21:47 EDT

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Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has criticized US artificial-intelligence companies for failing to explain their benefits to the public and build stronger relationships with communities hosting data centers. His remarks come as residents and officials increasingly connect AI infrastructure with pressure on household costs, power systems and scarce water supplies. Bloomberg Law

September 2, 2026 · AI infrastructure

Bessent says AI builders must earn community trust

The Treasury secretary says companies have failed to explain AI's public benefits as data centers put new pressure on power, water and household costs.

The build-out is reaching water-stressed areas

160+

New centers
in 3 years

More planned
by 2028

Both figures refer to US facilities in areas facing high competition for scarce water resources.

267%

Maximum single-month wholesale power-price increase near major data-center activity

2M L

Daily water use for an average 100-megawatt data center

75,000+

Homes' combined power demand matched by a 100-megawatt center

The accountability test

Explain practical benefits→Show local gains→Disclose resource costs

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