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

Data center opponents have blocked or delayed projects worth nearly $130 billion in 2026, study finds

Q1 2026 blocked record $130B in data center projects; opposition doubled to 833, 14 states introduced moratoriums. IT executives must factor regulatory risk into AI infrastructure capex; energy constraints and local governance now limit rather than enable growth.