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Activists Halt $130B Data-Center Projects, Spurring Moratoria Nationwide

By Drooid · Sep 22, 2026, 3:55 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Activists Block Data-Centers

Activists halted $130 billion of data-center projects in the first quarter of 2026.
Over 500 communities have enacted moratoria blocking new data-center construction.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul and Texas Governor Greg Abbott each announced a data-center pause.
Critics warn the moratoria could weaken New York environmental review and shift projects to private Texas grids.
Activists are targeting politicians they view as supporting data-center expansion.

Summary

Trump Limits Comments

U.S. President Donald Trump announced limits on public comment for new pollution sources.
Grassroots activism erupted nationwide with a data-center rebellion, Iowa cancer concerns and Corpus Christi water-use protests.
Polluters urged Congress to pass permitting reform that would permanently weaken environmental laws and curb public pushback.
Two-thirds of conservatives say the EPA should protect health from toxic chemicals even if costs rise.

Summary

EPA Grants Grid Exemption

EPA exempted massive private energy grids from a decades-long Clean Air Act component.
BloombergNEF projects new AI-driven data centers will raise electricity-related pollution by 20%.
AI expansion is linked to a surge in dirty natural-gas consumption.
The exemption could weaken the Clean Air Act’s decades-long emissions-reduction achievements.
Market observers say clean energy loses cost advantage without environmental regulations.

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Activists Block Data-Centers

Activists halted $130 billion of data-center projects in the first quarter of 2026.
Over 500 communities have enacted moratoria blocking new data-center construction.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul and Texas Governor Greg Abbott each announced a data-center pause.
Critics warn the moratoria could weaken New York environmental review and shift projects to private Texas grids.
Activists are targeting politicians they view as supporting data-center expansion.

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