DoubleChecks

What was claimed

Americans are now more accepting of nearby coal plants than data centers, according to a new study.

Our verdict

Inaccurate

This contains significant factual errors. The AI systems had mixed assessments — review the individual verdicts below for details.

2 of 3 AI systems agree20 sources citedChecked Aug 21, 2026

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Key findings

Americans are now more accepting of nearby coal plants than data centers, according to a new study.

Verified85%
2 of 4 AIs agree·Claude: Incorrect, ChatGPT: Can’t verify

Verified against 20 sources

climatepower.usforbes.comraineycenter.orgnews.gallup.comwashingtonpost.comgovtech.comclimatepower.uschangeresearch.comspotlightpa.orgclimatepower.ustheverge.comsalatainstitute.harvard.edubusinessinsider.comtomshardware.comheatmap.newstheregister.compewresearch.orgrmi.orgfinance.yahoo.comreuters.com

Detailed Analysis

The claim is contradicted by the available polling. The cited studies show Americans are generally more accepting of coal power than data centers, not less accepting. One poll even finds coal power has net support at -18% versus data centers at +2%, and another shows broad opposition to data centers while coal is not shown as the more disliked option.

Why this verdict

  • The claim is contradicted by the available polling.
  • The cited studies show Americans are generally more accepting of coal power than data centers, not less accepting.
  • One poll even finds coal power has net support at -18% versus data centers at +2%, and another shows broad opposition to data centers while coal is not shown as the more disliked option.

Claims checked

This is according to a new study.

Verified81%
The provided results include multiple recent 2026 polls and studies on data centers, including Reuters/Ipsos, Gallup, Pew, and Climate Power memos. The statement is broadly consistent with recent polling.

Americans are now more accepting of nearby coal plants than data centers.

Verified88%
A Heatmap poll found coal power had lower net support than data centers, and RMI’s referenced comparison also says coal plants are not the least-preferred infrastructure. This supports the idea that coal plants are more acceptable than data centers.

What other AI think

The claim directly contradicts multiple recent surveys. Americans overwhelmingly oppose data centers (71% oppose), but coal plants receive even stronger opposition. A Heatmap survey shows coal power has -18% net support compared to data centers' positive net support, making the claim factually backwards.

Why this verdict

  • The claim directly contradicts multiple recent surveys.
  • Americans overwhelmingly oppose data centers (71% oppose), but coal plants receive even stronger opposition.
  • A Heatmap survey shows coal power has -18% net support compared to data centers' positive net support, making the claim factually backwards.

Claims checked

Americans are now more accepting of nearby coal plants than data centers

Incorrect95%
Multiple 2026 surveys show the opposite. A Heatmap poll found coal power at -18% net support, while data centers have positive net support. A Gallup survey found 71% oppose data centers nearby, but coal generates even stronger opposition. The claim reverses the actual public opinion data.

This claim may mislead readers without added context.

I could not find a clear, credible study that directly concludes Americans are now more accepting of nearby coal plants than data centers. Some recent polls and reporting show growing local opposition to data centers and separate surveys about energy facilities, but I found no authoritative, single study comparing acceptance of coal plants versus data centers nationwide. Because the statement asserts a specific comparative finding tied to "a new study," it cannot be confirmed with the evidence available.

Why this verdict

  • I could not find a clear, credible study that directly concludes Americans are now more accepting of nearby coal plants than data centers.
  • Some recent polls and reporting show growing local opposition to data centers and separate surveys about energy facilities, but I found no authoritative, single study comparing acceptance of coal plants versus data centers nationwide.
  • Because the statement asserts a specific comparative finding tied to "a new study," it cannot be confirmed with the evidence available.

Claims checked

Americans are now more accepting of nearby coal plants than data centers, according to a new study.

Can’t verify60%
I found reporting and polls showing rising opposition to data centers and separate public-opinion work on energy sites, but no clear, reputable study that directly compares national acceptance of nearby coal plants versus data centers and reaches that conclusion.

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