US communities weigh limits on data center development

AI · First reported 29 Oct, 10:01 · Updated 12:30

Image: Wikimedia Commons · NASA Johnson Space Center · Public domain

Voters in 10 states are set to consider measures that could delay, restrict or add requirements to data center projects, amid concerns about power and water use. The article reports that industry growth continues despite local opposition.

Voters in 38 local jurisdictions will consider at least 41 data center-related measures, according to the article.
Opponents cited facilities’ electricity and water demands, as well as health concerns; the article says support for restrictions crosses party lines.
An industry researcher said developers may move projects to other sites, while US data center capacity under construction rose 48% from December 2025 to June 2026.

Summary written by Lux AI from 2 articles

Key facts

States with measures: Voters in 10 states will decide on data center measures.
Local jurisdictions: 38 jurisdictions will consider at least 41 measures.
Ohio proposals: More than a dozen Ohio jurisdictions will consider 21 proposals.
Capacity under construction: US data center capacity under construction increased 48% from December 2025 to June 2026.
Sunbury proposal: The measure could ban data centers using more than 25 megawatts and potentially affect Amazon’s proposed $2 billion development.