🇯🇵 Japanese, 10 October 2026, data center opposition
US Data Center Plans Worth $200 Billion Halted Amidst Growing Opposition
Opposition to large-scale data centers grows across the US, with 45 projects worth $68 billion halted or delayed in the first quarter of 2026.
The opposition to large-scale data centers is growing across the US, with 45 projects worth $68 billion halted or delayed in the first quarter of 2026. The total value of halted or delayed projects is estimated to be around $200 billion by the end of the first half of 2026.
The opposition is driven by concerns over the impact of large data centers on local communities, including water supply and power grid strain. A Gallup survey in March found that 70% of Americans oppose the construction of AI data centers in their local communities.
The opposition has led to legislative action, with over 300 bills introduced in state legislatures in the first six weeks of 2026, including bills to halt data center construction in 14 states. Several cities have also taken action, including Minneapolis, which voted to halt a large data center project for six months to conduct an environmental impact study.