Can BYOE (Bring Your Own Energy) actually solve the NIMBY problem for data centers?

Data centers have a NIMBY (not in my backyard) problem driven by rising electricity prices and the fear of AI. Can nuclear and/or fusion energy help solve that problem?

In Festus, Missouri, a proposed $6B data center reshaped local politics when residents voted out four local council members who supported it and are now pushing to recall the mayor. One resident said fighting the project “has become my life,” according to a recent Wall Street Journal article.

Residents point to “an overburdened electrical grid and higher utility bills” along with “pollution from generators and wastewater” and heavy water use. Some worry about years of disruption during construction and others question what happens “if the AI boom goes bust.” These issues are showing up across the country, with more than 90 local governments considering limits on data centers and Maine even considering a state-wide ban.

Even though the project promised more than $32M a year in tax revenue for schools and infrastructure, the economic case did not win over the town. Residents still focused on electricity prices, property values, and long-term uncertainty.

Could BYOE (Bring Your Own Energy) at least alleviate the energy issue? A data center paired with a dedicated, behind-the-meter nuclear plant would reduce reliance on the local grid. It could limit rising electricity prices, avoid adding pressure to existing infrastructure, and add firm capacity back into the system.

Data centers require constant, high-density power which nuclear reactors can definitely provide in a compact footprint. Many big tech companies have already started buying up nuclear power and investing in advanced nuclear tech.

While BYOE with nuclear can address the energy issue, it doesn't fully get to the root cause of why people are against these data centers. In a recent All-In podcast episode, David Friedberg described the data center as “the temple of the wealthy,” and people don’t want to make the uber-rich leading the AI boom even richer. 

There is also a deeper layer of concern around the pace and direction of technological change. AI is associated with significant economic and social disruption. Conversations about job displacement and long-term societal impacts are unsettling, even among people working within the tech sector. This fear is what is driving the emotional response to the data center build out. 

Therefore, BYOE can help remove a key source of friction, but it does not change how people feel about AI or the pace of change tied to it. At a time when support for nuclear and fusion energy is increasing, developers need to be mindful of how we align with the AI/data center boom.

At Helixos, we have a technology-optimist view while engaging directly with these realities. The role of advanced nuclear energy systems in enabling digital infrastructure is clear, and there is a strong case for pairing firm, clean generation with high-load users like data centers. That case needs to be developed alongside a more nuanced approach to stakeholder engagement.

Developers will need to go beyond technical and economic arguments. Communities are responding to perceived risks, fairness, and long-term impacts on their way of life. Addressing those concerns requires early engagement, transparency around trade-offs, and a willingness to incorporate local priorities into project design.

There is also an opportunity to rethink how benefits are structured and communicated. Local communities are more likely to engage constructively when they see a clear and direct connection between a project and their own economic and social outcomes. That includes energy affordability, local employment, infrastructure improvements, and long-term resilience.

Helixos works with both nuclear/fusion technology developers and end users navigating these questions. This includes shaping market entry strategies, supporting stakeholder engagement, and positioning projects in a way that reflects both the technical value and the broader community context. The goal is to help bridge the gap between large-scale infrastructure development and local acceptance and involvement.