Cleanview: ~40% of pending US data center capacity is planned to be built in states where newly elected governors have pledged to stop or pause construction

Data center construction faces new gubernatorial roadblocks, impacting where and if new builds can proceed.

In the United States, approximately 40% of planned data center capacity is slated for construction in states where newly elected governors have pledged to halt or pause such developments. This trend follows a broader pattern seen in the recent US midterm elections, where voters in 41 out of 41 local ballot measures rejected data center construction, with the exception of one in North Dakota. Newly elected Democratic governors in Georgia, Ohio, and Texas have publicly committed to imposing moratoriums or stricter regulations on new data center builds. This political and public opposition has already impacted the industry, with local blockades or delays affecting at least 75 US data center projects valued at nearly $130 billion in the first quarter of 2026. Nvidia and CoreWeave stocks saw significant drops amid these concerns.

The widespread voter rejection of data center ballot measures and the subsequent policy stances of newly elected governors signal a significant shift in the regulatory landscape for the data center industry. This pushback, driven by local concerns likely related to energy consumption, environmental impact, or infrastructure strain, is now directly translating into actionable policy that could stifle future expansion. Companies reliant on rapid data center growth may need to re-evaluate site selection and lobbying strategies to navigate this increasingly restrictive environment.

Europe is experiencing parallel, though distinct, forms of opposition, with activist groups demanding moratoriums and governments implementing planning and grid connection restrictions. While US opposition is largely driven by local ballot measures and executive pledges, Europe's approach is more rooted in existing regulatory frameworks and environmental policy debates. The coordinated European protests highlight a global unease with the unchecked growth of data centers, suggesting that even in regions without direct public votes, regulatory hurdles and public pressure will continue to shape development.