The California survey shows widespread opposition to data centers

A new survey shows that Californians really don’t like AI data centers.

The latest Public Policy Institute of California poll of 1,578 Californian adults found that 73% opposed building data centers in their communities. Although majorities of Democrats and Republicans disapprove of building data centers, Republicans are slightly more likely than Democrats to favor them.

It’s not just California. National polls show the same limit of people who oppose data centers.

This will be a challenge for the big AI companies that power the Bay Area economy. The industry estimates it has supported 665,000 jobs in California and contributed billions in state and local taxes.

Opposition to data centers was strongest among respondents in the Inland Empire and Los Angeles. Sixty-three percent also worry about the environmental impact of data centers, with the greatest concern coming from residents of the San Francisco Bay Area.

The study follows a recent protest in San Franciscocity-wide ban on data centers c Monterey Park and lawsuits arising out of Imperial Valley is contesting a plan for one there.

Although Californians seem united on data centers, the survey showed that cost of living and affordability are beginning to erode support for the environmental regulations.

About 66 percent of respondents oppose Gov. Gavin Newsom’s order banning the sale of new gas-powered cars until 2035 — up from 49 percent of respondents in July 2021. A majority of Republicans oppose the ban (91 percent), but Democrats are split (50 percent oppose).

And while 62 percent of respondents said they support a state law mandating that California’s electricity come from renewable sources by 2045, a nearly equal percentage of Californians say the cost of energy, such as gas and electric bills, is too high. It’s not too surprising, then, that only 38% say they’re willing to shell out more money to pay for wind and solar power.

A new federal law requires American colleges and universities to prove that they have completed their education they receive at least the average salary to someone in their state with only a high school diploma. If their students don’t, that undergraduate program may not qualify for federal loans, writes CalMatters’ Adam Echelman.

In California, the average high school graduate is expected to earn about $18 an hour, or $36,000 a year. An estimated 90 percent of graduates from nearly 3,000 California postsecondary programs reviewed by the U.S. Department of Education earned at least that much.

But graduates of California’s roughly 300 programs — most of which are at for-profit colleges — fall short, especially those in cosmetology, nursing, arts and theater programs. Theater and fine arts programs at 11 state universities also failed.

Approximately 100 fine arts, music and theater programs in California are passing the new requirement. Many schools that failed the test criticized the numbers as misleading.

• Angelica Murochair of Cal State Monterey Bay’s visual arts and music department: The new profit rule “undermines the societal benefits of critical thinking and the enormous sociocultural value held within the arts.”

Read more.

Californians will be choosing between a Republican and a Democrat in this fall’s gubernatorial race, but that won’t be the case in a number of low-turnout races where voters will be choosing between candidates from the same party.

A group that wants voters to overturn a 2010 ballot initiative that gave California open primaries is highlighting a slate of one-party races as it gathers signatures for its own measure.

One-party races include insurance commissioner — who is opposed Democrat Ben Allen vs. Democrat Jane Kim — as well as eight congressional districts, two state Senate districts and 10 Assembly districts.

Former Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger supported the ballot measure that shifted the state to open primaries in the interest of helping moderate politicians win office. This year’s crowded gubernatorial primary has focused attention on the practice, as voters from both parties at different times he was afraid of being excluded in the November elections.

The group that wants to bring back closed primaries, “Cancel the above two”, is aiming for the November 2028 elections.

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