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US data center protests go national as backlash grows
By Valerie Volcovici and Lisa Baertlein Reuters at Waco Tribune-Herald
· July 18, 2026
· 1 min read
Opponents of the rapid buildout of data centers planned to hold protests Saturday in at least 125 locations across the United States, the first coordinated national effort to channel anger at the AI infrastructure expansion that ramped up over the…
Why this matters in The Waco
The national backlash against data center expansion is likely to resonate in Waco , where residents have been grappling with the implications of rapid growth on local infrastructure and resources. As McLennan County continues to attract new businesses and investments, the community must consider the potential consequences of hosting large data centers, including increased energy consumption and strain on the local power grid. The coordinated protests across the US may prompt Waco residents to take a closer look at the city's own development plans and zoning regulations, and to demand more transparency and public input in the decision-making process. With the city's government and schools already facing challenges in managing growth, the data center issue is likely to become a key point of discussion in upcoming community meetings and city council sessions.
About this story
Original reporting by Waco Tribune-Herald . The Waco surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit Waco Tribune-Herald . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 18, 2026 ·
Source: Waco Tribune-Herald ·
Reading time: 1 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Opponents of the rapid buildout of data centers planned to hold protests Saturday in at least 125 locations across the United States, the first coordinated national effort to channel anger at the AI infrastructure expansion that ramped up over the…
When was this published? This article was first published on July 18, 2026 by Waco Tribune-Herald and curated for The Waco readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Valerie Volcovici and Lisa Baertlein Reuters at Waco Tribune-Herald. To learn more about how The Waco selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Waco, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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