New Governors in Multiple U.S. States Plan to Pause Data Center Construction, Affecting Approximately 40% of Planned Capacity

on November 6, Jinshi Data reported that opposition to data centers continues to intensify across the United States. The regulatory landscape has clearly shifted following the midterm elections, creating a less favorable environment for artificial intelligence infrastructure development. Newly elected governors in Ohio, Georgia, Michigan, New Mexico, and Texas pledged during their campaigns to halt or pause statewide data center construction; newly elected governors in New York and Oregon have committed to extending already-implemented local moratoriums. Candidates supporting construction freezes currently lead in Alaska and Kansas, though results remain unofficial.

Data from market intelligence firm Cleanview shows that approximately 40% of planned U.S. data center capacity is slated for these states. Furthermore, 46 local ballot measures aimed at obstructing data center development have either passed or are expected to pass, with at least 17 directly banning the construction of large-scale data centers.