Temporarily banning data centers draws more interest from state, local officials

By: Madyson Fitzgerald

Outlets: Stateline

Published: March 6, 2026

Words: 433

Last Updated: 4 days, 2 hours ago

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As communities’ concerns grow over rising electricity prices and the environmental effects of data centers, some local and state officials want to halt development of the facilities.

Lawmakers in at least 11 states — Georgia, Maryland, Michigan, New Hampshire, New York, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Vermont, Virginia and Wisconsin — have introduced legislation this session that would temporarily ban data centers, according to Good Jobs First, a watchdog group that focuses on economic …

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