Data center opposition hits record high: blocked projects reach $130 billion in early 2026

Opposition to data centers in the United States has reached a record level. In the first quarter of 2026, opponents blocked or delayed at least 75 projects worth approximately $130 billion, the highest figure recorded in a single quarter. Allan Smith reports for NBC News, citing a study by Data Center Watch, a project of AI intelligence firm 10a Labs.

The study’s authors describe the surge not as a temporary spike but as a fundamental shift. Communities have adopted a shared opposition playbook, and the number of active grassroots opposition groups more than doubled from 396 at the end of 2025 to 833 by March 2026, spread across 49 states. The states with the most active groups were Maryland, Ohio, and Texas.

The total value of blocked and delayed projects in the first three months of 2026 roughly matched the entire figure for 2025.

Legislative pressure mounting

Lawmakers across the political spectrum responded with new legislation. More than 300 bills were introduced in state legislatures in just the first six weeks of 2026. Proposals for moratoriums on data center construction appeared in 14 states. Senator Bernie Sanders and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez introduced a federal version. None has been signed into law. A moratorium bill in Maine reached the governor’s desk but was vetoed in April.

Concerns driving the opposition center on energy consumption and environmental impact. Data center proponents argue these concerns are overstated and point to economic benefits the developments bring to local communities.

The study notes that opposition sometimes began before any project was officially filed. According to the authors: “The mere rumor of a data center was enough to trigger organized resistance.”