Protests Block $130 Billion in Data Center Projects in Early 2026

New research shows that community opposition has sharply increased, blocking or delaying at least 75 data center projects worth approximately $130 billion from January through March 2026—the highest number recorded for a three-month period since tracking began in 2023. Analysts describe this as a structural shift, not a temporary spike, as communities have adopted a coordinated opposition playbook. Legislative uncertainty has grown, and the number of active opposition groups has more than doubled to 833 across 49 states.