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More than 75 data center build-outs worth $130 billion have been successfully blocked in the first three months of 2026 — bipartisan opposition mounts nationwide over fears of soaring power and water costs

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More than 75 data center build-outs worth $130 billion have been successfully blocked in the first three months of 2026 — bipartisan opposition mounts nationwide over fears of soaring power and water costs

More than 75 data center build-outs worth $130 billion have been successfully blocked in the first three months of 2026 — bipartisan opposition mounts nationwide over fears of soaring power and water costs

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By Jowi Morales published

This could put a dent towards the availability of compute in the future.

Data center projects are being delayed nationwide as many opposition groups have successfully blocked their progress. According to Data Center Watch, a boutique research firm tracking data center development, at least 75 data center projects worth around $130 billion have been blocked or delayed across the nation in the first quarter of 2026 alone. By comparison, this is the same amount that was blocked throughout 2025.

This metric reflects the growing opposition to data centers across the United States. In late 2025, an Ipsos survey showed that nearly half of Americans didn’t want a new data center project near their neighborhood. However, this number jumped to 70% a few months later, indicating increasing resistance to data centers. Many of the concerns raised by residents include massive electricity price hikes, egregious water consumption, and potential noise pollution, among others. However, there have also been reports that Chinese users have been amplifying these issues while posing as Americans.

These concerns have resulted in numerous moratoriums passed in different jurisdictions. At least 69 local government units have enacted bans as of May 2026, with more joining the list since then. Seattle, the hometown of AI tech giants Microsoft and Amazon, is the biggest city to have passed a one-year pause on data center projects so far, affecting five proposed projects. It has even gotten to the point where Maine almost passed a statewide ban on large new data center projects until October 2027, with only the governor vetoing the bill because it affected one particular data center project.

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Despite President Donald Trump’s push for AI development in the U.S., pushback against data centers has come from both sides of the aisle. While a few politicians have been pushing for data center development despite community opposition, many more have been listening to their constituents and passing regulations to halt or delay projects as they study how these projects could impact the community and mitigate any negative effects.

The number of projects being blocked across the nation is concerning for both the federal government, which is competing against China to gain the edge in AI technology, and AI tech companies like Anthropic, which is struggling to gain access to more compute. But if these developments damage the environment and the lifestyle of the people living around them, then it seems that Americans would rather do without them.

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Jowi Morales
Jowi Morales
Contributing Writer

Jowi Morales is a tech enthusiast with years of experience working in the industry. He’s been writing with several tech publications since 2021, where he’s been interested in tech hardware and consumer electronics.

24 Comments Comment from the forums
  • BloodLust2222
    What I find most amusing is that in Democrat controlled states, They want these data centers because of all the tax revenue. But in these same states, They are shutting down all the coal, oil and nuclear power plants in favor of wind and solar. These two options barely can supply enough power for residents, Much less data centers that consume 20-30x more power than what typical resident households use. Wonder how that's going to work out.......LOL.
    Reply
  • Kamen Rider Blade
    Block All those Data Center build-outs.
    We don't need as many as they think.
    Reply
  • ezst036
    AI are getting the no-new-nuclear-plants treatment.

    The no-new-desalination-plants treatment.

    The no-new-refineries treatment.

    Its about time this happened. Reducing energy prices falls to two sides of the sword. Produce more is the one cutting side.

    Or else, block the AI data centers so that you consume less to be on the other cutting side.
    Reply
  • WonkoTheSaneUK
    None should be built at all, unless they can source their own water & electricity without affecting existing public utility prices
    Reply
  • Elfcat
    BloodLust2222 said:
    What I find most amusing is that in Democrat controlled states, They want these data centers because of all the tax revenue. But in these same states, They are shutting down all the coal, oil and nuclear power plants in favor of wind and solar. These two options barely can supply enough power for residents, Much less data centers that consume 20-30x more power than what typical resident households use. Wonder how that's going to work out.......LOL.
    What I find most amusing is that anyone would think that many of those inclined toward the Democratic Party, let alone those to their left, are salivating to swallow the "tax revenue" promises of individuals known for a thirst for force, surveillance and wealth hoarding, without a ruthless examination (do you even know why I use those two words?) As for solar and wind, in California we're having some hours during the year when PV alone covers ALL demand, and there is more opportunity ahead still. And if you think it's just a "Democrat" thing, explain why our wind fleet has long been rather embarrassingly dwarfed by that of Texas!
    Reply
  • Zaranthos
    Kamen Rider Blade said:
    Block All those Data Center build-outs.
    We don't need as many as they think.
    Why not let investors and the market decide this? In the cases of legitimate and reasonable opposition I might be sympathetic to stopping some of them, but overall we need them to compete in the AI race.

    It's probably a good investment for countries like China and Russia to fund opposition groups to stop data centers, power plants of all kinds, or really anything in the supply chain that supports AI right now. A sure way to win the AI race is if everyone else just loses the race.
    Reply
  • Gururu
    BloodLust2222 said:
    What I find most amusing is that in Democrat controlled states, They want these data centers because of all the tax revenue. But in these same states, They are shutting down all the coal, oil and nuclear power plants in favor of wind and solar. These two options barely can supply enough power for residents, Much less data centers that consume 20-30x more power than what typical resident households use. Wonder how that's going to work out.......LOL.
    Since you said it, you should probably prove it.
    Reply
  • Blacksad999
    BloodLust2222 said:
    What I find most amusing is that in Democrat controlled states, They want these data centers because of all the tax revenue. But in these same states, They are shutting down all the coal, oil and nuclear power plants in favor of wind and solar. These two options barely can supply enough power for residents, Much less data centers that consume 20-30x more power than what typical resident households use. Wonder how that's going to work out.......LOL.

    You're making up a bunch of nonsense, or parroting something you've heard from someone who's uninformed.
    Reply
  • COLGeek
    Folks, please don't spiral into a political black hole. Focus on the technology and not any ideological assumptions.

    Thank you.
    Reply
  • PEnns
    BloodLust2222 said:
    What I find most amusing is that in Democrat controlled states, They want these data centers because of all the tax revenue. But in these same states, They are shutting down all the coal, oil and nuclear power plants in favor of wind and solar. These two options barely can supply enough power for residents, Much less data centers that consume 20-30x more power than what typical resident households use. Wonder how that's going to work out.......LOL.

    The misinformation is hilarious!

    Texas has more solar and wind power than 1/2 the country combined! Unless you are also under the impression Texas is run by democrats.....LOL!!
    Reply


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