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Here & Now Anytime

What's behind America's data center revolt?

Jul 15, 2026 · 21 min · 13 segments

America’s data center revolt shows no signs of slowing down. Data center construction is broadly unpopular across political divides, but approaches to its construction vary by city and state. We hear…

Speakers: Chris BentleyHostRoben FarzadGuestSusie BoylesGuestErin McCarthyGuestJael HolzmanGuest

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Top entities: New York×12 Workday, Inc.×15 Jael Holzman×7 Roben Farzad×9 Artificial intelligence×16

Sponsor – MathWorks0:00 – 0:18

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Support for Here and Now Anytime comes from MathWorks, creator of MATLAB and Simulink software, to design and develop engineered systems, accelerating the pace of discovery in engineering and science.

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Learn more at mathworks.com. WBUR Podcasts.

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INSIGHTFUL13:38–15:31
Secrecy and NDAs Backfire
“But secrecy can backfire on tech giants.”
CONTROVERSIAL17:36–18:05
Data Centers as Political Wedge
“Data centers become politics' newest wedge issue.”
INSIGHTFUL10:21–10:52
Sheer Scale Sparks Revolt
“These projects rival mining complexes in scale.”
AHA MOMENT20:18–20:51
Regulators Behind Tech Boom
“Regulators chase innovations that outpaced rulebooks today.”
INFORMATIVE6:32–7:15
Dry Desert Cooling Solutions
“How do data centers manage desert water?”

New YorkAdministrative AreaUS state
99%12 mentions
Workday, Inc.CompanySystem software company
97%15 mentions
Jael HolzmanPersonAmerican journalist and musician
95%7 mentions
Roben FarzadEntity
93%9 mentions
Artificial intelligenceEntityProfessional field
90%16 mentions
Kathy HochulPersonGovernor of New York
88%6 mentions
King of PrussiaPlaceCensus-designated place in Pennsylvania
86%5 mentions
ArizonaAdministrative AreaUS state
84%4 mentions
PhoenixCityCity in Arizona
82%4 mentions
Chris BentleyPerson
80%4 mentions
National Public RadioCompanyRadio network
78%4 mentions
United StatesCountryCountry in North America
76%7 mentions
Non-disclosure agreementEntity
73%4 mentions
Box Elder CountyPlaceCounty in Utah
71%1 mention
MathWorksCompanyComputer software corporation
69%4 mentions
MATLABEntityProgramming language
66%2 mentions
SimulinkSoftware ApplicationSoftware
66%2 mentions
Big TechEntity
63%2 mentions
WBUR-FMRadio StationRadio station
61%3 mentions
human resourcesEntity
59%3 mentions
Upper Merion TownshipCity
56%4 mentions
Democratic PartyOrganizationPolitical party
54%3 mentions
PennsylvaniaAdministrative AreaUS state
52%2 mentions
BuckeyeCityCity in Arizona
50%14 mentions
InstagramSoftware ApplicationSocial networking service
48%2 mentions
BostonCityCity in Massachusetts
46%2 mentions
Elon MuskPersonBusinessman and former Senior Advisor to the President of the United States
44%1 mention
Consolidated EdisonCompanyEnergy company
41%1 mention
PhiladelphiaCityCity in Pennsylvania
39%2 mentions
Zohran MamdaniPersonMayor of New York City
37%2 mentions
UtahAdministrative AreaUS state
35%2 mentions
Peter O'DowdPerson
33%3 mentions
CBS NewsCompanyTelevision broadcaster
31%1 mention
Gallup, Inc.CompanyManagement consulting company
29%1 mention
Colorado RiverRiverRiver in North America
27%2 mentions
MissouriAdministrative AreaUS state
24%1 mention
The Philadelphia Inquirer, LLCCompanyCompany
22%1 mention
Florida Power & LightCompanyElectric power generation, transmission and distribution company
20%1 mention
Alison HagenPerson
18%1 mention
MississippiAdministrative AreaUS state
16%1 mention
Here and NowEntityNews podcast
14%1 mention
South CarolinaAdministrative AreaUS state
12%1 mention
MemphisCityCity in Tennessee
10%1 mention
LouisianaAdministrative AreaUS state
6%1 mention
Texas Gulf CoastPlaceRegion
6%1 mention
Michael ScottoPerson
3%1 mention
Republican PartyOrganizationPolitical party
1%1 mention

Economic DevelopmentBusiness
Society
Job CreationBusiness > Economic Development > Investment
Local EconomyBusiness > Economic Development > Investment > Job Creation
InvestmentBusiness > Economic Development
Environmental ImpactTechnology > Data Centers > Infrastructure
Public MeetingsPolitics > Local Government > Policy Making
Local GovernmentPolitics
Noise PollutionEnvironment > Pollution
Community EngagementSociety
InfrastructureTechnology > Data Centers
Public OpinionSociety > Community Engagement
Policy MakingPolitics > Local Government
Air QualityEnvironment > Pollution > Noise Pollution
Community ResponseTechnology > Data Centers > Infrastructure > Environmental Impact
Data CentersTechnology
Politics
Environment
PollutionEnvironment
Technology
Business
Health ConcernsEnvironment > Pollution > Noise Pollution > Air Quality
Regulatory ResponseSociety > Community Engagement > Public Opinion > Local Governance
Community ActivismPolitics > Local Government > Policy Making > Public Meetings
Local GovernanceSociety > Community Engagement > Public Opinion