The Datacenter Backlash Goes Bipartisan: Next Week's Midterms and the 2028 Buildout

The author analyzes how the growing bipartisan political backlash and upcoming midterm elections threaten the 2028 U.S. datacenter buildout, focusing on proposed permitting freezes and stricter conditions in key states. While projects slated for 2027 have a strong head start, unstarted capacity in 2028 faces significant risks from executive actions and potential legislative moratoria in major markets like Texas, Ohio, and Oregon. Candidates across the political spectrum are increasingly targeting datacenters over grid costs, tax incentives, and water usage. Open article →