Mapped: U.S. States Moving to Restrict Data Centers
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Key Takeaways
- There are 11 U.S. states considering bans and restrictions on data centers, with some calling for studies on their impact.
- Virginia is a data center hotspot with 498 facilities planned, but lawmakers are hoping to apply conditional restrictions on new sites.
- No new data centers are slated for Vermont and New Hampshire, but both states are taking preemptive action on construction.
The rapid expansion of data centers is being met with a growing number of possible restrictions across U.S. states.
This visualization charts which U.S. states have proposed restrictions on new data centers, and the number of announced projects in each. The data comes from Stateline and Aterio, respectively.
Where Data Center Restrictions Are Being Considered in the U.S.
When it comes to the U.S. states looking to restrict or ban data centers, the majority are looking at temporary bans, while three are looking at conditional restrictions.
The data table below shows the 11 states considering restrictions or bans, the potential length of time of the ban, and the number of currently announced data center projects in each state:
| State | Type of Restrictions | Duration | Number of Announced Data Centers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Georgia | Temporary ban | Until March 2027 | 340 |
| Maryland | Conditional restrictions | Not fixed | 10 |
| Michigan | Temporary ban | Not specified | 21 |
| New Hampshire | Temporary ban | 1 year | 0 |
| New York | Temporary ban | 3 years | 72 |
| Oklahoma | Temporary ban | Until Nov 2029 | 34 |
| South Carolina | Temporary ban | Until Jan 2028 | 8 |
| South Dakota | Temporary ban | 1 year | 6 |
| Vermont | Temporary ban | Until July 2030 | 0 |
| Virginia | Conditional restrictions | Not fixed | 498 |
| Wisconsin | Conditional restrictions | Not fixed | 28 |
Virginia is a hotspot for data center development, given 70% of the world’s internet traffic passes through its northern territory. This number is set to explode as a further 498 data centers are slated for construction in the state.
This rapid growth has been met with backlash from some policymakers as Virginia looks to apply conditional restrictions to data centers — potentially putting those announced data centers at risk. Restrictions would be tied to energy usage.
Georgia, where 340 projects have been announced, has proposed a ban on new projects until March 2027.
New York, with 72 announced data centers, and Oklahoma, which has 34, are looking to pause new constructions while they conduct studies to better understand data center energy demand, land use, and broader impact. New York’s pause could last three years, while Oklahoma’s could stretch as far as November 2029.
Wisconsin is also seeking a ban on data centers unless lawmakers introduce consumer protections, for instance regulation that ensures water and energy costs don’t fall onto residents. Some 28 data centers have been announced in the state.
Meanwhile proposals in Michigan, which has 21 announced projects, would block data centers and industry-related discretionary incentives.
Maryland would block the construction of new data centers without specific legislation first requiring sites to co-locate with power generation. Maryland has 10 announced data centers.
States Are Taking Preemptive Action Against Data Centers
States without a large pipeline of new projects are also taking preemptive action.
South Dakota, with six projects announced, has tabled a one-year temporary ban on the construction and expansion of data centers.
South Carolina, with eight announced data centers, is looking to halt permits and incentives until January 2028.
Vermont has one of the longest proposed bans, which would run until 2030 and apply specifically to AI data centers, while New Hampshire is looking at a temporary one-year ban beginning when the policy is implemented. Neither state has any announced data centers, but both would conduct impact studies.
These restrictions are all currently being considered by states but none have yet been passed.
Impacts of the Data Center Boom Are Mounting
Many of the proposed restrictions involve stopping to take stock of the impacts of data centers, from energy use to rising costs for consumers. It follows increasing backlash from communities affected by or living close to such facilities.
Where states are not acting, local leaders have also taken action. For instance, Indiana’s White County introduced its own moratorium on new data centers back in October.
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