Diesel and gasoline prices have spiked sharply in the Midwest, with diesel up 77% nationally and gas prices rising 48-55% in key agricultural states like Iowa, Michigan, and Wisconsin. Democrats are polling stronger than in 2024, with Iowa's Senate race showing competitive numbers that some analysts attribute partly to energy price inflation affecting rural and agricultural voters in these regions.
Public concern about AI data centers' environmental impact, particularly regarding water pollution and carbon emissions, has outpaced available evidence, leading communities to reject projects and forgo tax revenue based on inflated or misconceived threats. While data centers do pose genuine industrial risks, most feared harms lack confirmed cases, and water consumption figures need context compared to other industries like agriculture.