$130 billion in data center projects blocked by protests so far this year
Communities are increasingly successful in blocking data center construction, with at least 75 projects worth $130 billion delayed or halted in the first quarter of 2026. This marks a record high, attributed to a "structural shift" where opposition groups have doubled to 833 across 49 states. The momentum is influencing political discourse, with data center resistance becoming a potential campaign issue. AI
IMPACT Growing community opposition threatens AI infrastructure development, potentially slowing AI advancement and increasing project costs.