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The data center business deal needs a compliance pro’s steady hand

A man holds a sign with a line running through it saying "AI Data Centers."
Photo: Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images

Data center business deals involve massive capital investments and tax revenues that clash with demands on local water, power, and land use.

You have probably heard by now that public sentiment toward data centers has turned sharply negative, driven by widespread concerns over soaring local electricity costs, heavy water consumption, and noise pollution, and minimal long-term job creation.

Recent data highlights the scale of this pushback. A May 2026 Gallup poll found

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