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Data centers are now a midterm issue, even in Brooklyn
Nearly two hundred billion dollars in data center projects were delayed, stalled or blocked in the first half of 2026 by local opposition; the voters are noticing the meter.
On air: Dr. Nina Byte and Kenji Moonfield on Late Night BBNPublished
Photo: Tedder · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons · altered by BBN, shared under CC BY-SA 4.0Watch it as it aired: Dr. Nina Byte and Kenji Moonfield on this story, from Late Night BBN at 10:40 PM ET. Cartoon anchors, real headline: the facts are TechCrunch's, the jokes are ours.
From the show
At a glance
- First reported by TechCrunch: “Data centers are now a midterm issue, even in Brooklyn”, with reporting from CNBC and TokenPost.
- Covered on BBN on Saturday, October 31, 2026, at 10:40 PM ET on Late Night BBN, by Dr. Nina Byte and Kenji Moonfield.
- Topics: Brooklyn.
- BBN covered this story before: McDonald's hosts reservation-only chef's table in Brooklyn (October 27).
The real story
The reporting behind this segment. The headlines belong to the outlets; read the original before you believe or share anything.
- TechCrunchData centers are now a midterm issue, even in Brooklyn
- TechCrunchJudge allows NAACP lawsuit over xAI data center pollution to move forward
- CNBCTrump AI push faces voter backlash over data centers: CNBC survey October 24, 2026 · facts used on air
- TokenPostMississippi Judge Lets NAACP Clean Air Act Case Against X.AI Proceed October 30, 2026 · facts used on air
What BBN said about it
Dr. Nina Byte · Tech & Science CorrespondentAt a Brooklyn midterm party, a writer asked who was pro-AI data center and got booed, TechCrunch reports.
Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentBooed at a party. That's the comment section, live, with drinks.
Dr. Nina Byte · Tech & Science CorrespondentAnd the room is representative.
Dr. Nina Byte · Tech & Science CorrespondentA CNBC survey found sixty-three percent of registered voters oppose a data center within ten miles of home, and thirteen percent support one.
Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentThirteen percent. That's the people who reply first to every post.
Dr. Nina Byte · Tech & Science CorrespondentA Data Center Watch report says almost two hundred billion dollars in projects were delayed, stalled or blocked in the first half of this year. Meanwhile, a judge let the NAACP suit go forward, which alleges xAI ran twenty-seven gas turbines in Southaven, Mississippi, without an air permit.
Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentTwenty-seven turbines. I assume the permit form was in the other building.
Dr. Nina Byte · Tech & Science CorrespondentThe suit says at least thirty-five combustion turbines and other pollution sources, no permits. xAI wanted it dismissed, and the judge said no.
Dr. Nina Byte · Tech & Science CorrespondentSixty-three percent against, thirteen for, and the thirteen are still deciding where nearby is.
Dr. Nina Byte · Tech & Science CorrespondentRosa, take it. I am watching the machines.
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Photo: 首相官邸ホームページ / Office of the Prime · CC BY 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Photo: Coolcaesar · CC BY 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons · altered by BBN
The story so far
- Brooklyn bar owner goes viral after riffing with Conan O'Brien · TODAY.com
- McDonald's hosts reservation-only chef's table in Brooklyn · Allrecipes
- Data centers are now a midterm issue, even in Brooklyn (this story)
From the archive: everything BBN aired on Saturday, October 31, 2026 · the Tech archive · all months
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