Protesters Blocked $130 Billion in Data Center Projects in First Quarter of 2026, Study Finds

A record 75 data center projects worth approximately $130 billion were blocked or delayed by protests in the first quarter of 2026, according to a study by Data Center Watch. Researchers say this marks the highest number of delayed projects in a three-month period since tracking began in 2023, and it reflects a structural shift rather than a temporary spike. Opposition groups have more than doubled to 833 across 49 states, as communities have adopted an effective playbook and legislative uncertainty has increased.