[Become an Insider](/subscription)and start reading now. Have an account? .
America's elected officials have a different tune when it comes to [data centers.](https://www.businessinsider.com/ai-data-center-development-true-cost-environmental-impact-2025-6)
Amid intense public pushback, elected officials and those running for office this November have moved to rein in support for data centers or enact s on their development entirely.
Some, like Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, represent states that are already home to massive hyperscale projects. Others, like Rep. Byron Donalds of Florida, the GOP's gubernatorial nominee, may lead states that are sorting through such proposals.
A few told us that they haven't changed their minds at all, rejecting the suggestion that they've evolved on the topic. Then there are those like Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, who are open about how getting an earful has changed their outlook.
What is clear is that AI has noticeably changed how elected officials talk about data centers, projects that many statewide officials once clamored to bring home.
Here is how 11 officials are shifting their stances on data centers
Kathy Hochul #
In July, Gov. Kathy Hochul, a Democrat, made New York the first state to impose a one-year moratorium on what she called "hyperscale AI data centers."
The details: Her executive order states that the temporary ban applies to data centers that need 50 megawatts or more to operate. Additionally, Hochul separately ordered that data centers either pay for their own power generation or pay more for the energy they need.
Past views: In May, Hochul questioned the need for a more stringent moratorium, which was being considered by the state legislature.
"This is a local decision for municipalities, it's land use, which is the purview of local governments," she told reporters, per E&E News. "It's not a statewide approach necessarily, but it's something I'm looking at intensely."
The explanation: Hochul previously told NBC News that local communities had asked for her assistance.
"At first I thought this is more of a local decision, but then I realized they don't have the negotiating ability, the clout, the wherewithal to be able to negotiate the best benefits or to make sure that these companies, as I said in my State of the State, are either bringing their own power or paying a premium into the grid to cover the cost," she said.
Josh Shapiro #
In August, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, a Democrat, unveiled what he's called "the strictest guardrails in the nation" for future data center development.
The details: Shapiro's order, which is not a moratorium, requires developers to secure local approval before they can receive state permits, granting more power to communities that Shapiro said have been treated unfairly by some developers. Shapiro also removed data centers from fast-track permitting and established guidelines, including power generation and transparency requirements, that, if developers agree to follow, allow for permit review on a rolling basis, Spotlight PA reported.
"I've heard loud and clear from the good people of Pennsylvania as I've traveled our commonwealth, and I'm here to say today that we will not be bullied by these developers," Shapiro said.
Past views: Shapiro once openly courted data center development. When Amazon announced plans to spend $20 billion on data centers, Shapiro touted the "largest private sector investment in the history of Pennsylvania."
"With this historic announcement, we're creating opportunity for our workers, generating new revenue for our local communities, and ensuring the future of AI runs right through Pennsylvania," he said in a statement released by his office.
The explanation: When asked "what prompted his 180," Shapiro told CBS News, "Look, I listened. I think it's important for elected leaders to actually get the vibes of a community, to listen and to be able to be flexible, to be able to work with a neighborhood."
Katie Hobbs #
Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs, a Democrat, pushed state lawmakers to eliminate a tax incentive for data center development that she called "a thirty-eight million dollar corporate handout."
The details: Ultimately, Hobbs and state lawmakers agreed to a three-year on new data center sales tax breaks.
Past views: In calling for the change, Hobbs was open about how, as a state lawmaker, she voted to create the incentive.
"More than a decade ago, we made a strategic decision to grow data centers by creating a tax exemption for them — I voted for it," she said in her State of the State address in January. "Now, Arizona is a national leader in this sector. We must ask ourselves: should taxpayers continue subsidizing the data center industry?"
The explanation: Hobbs said the incentive had boosted the industry, and now it was time for it to stand on its own.
JB Pritzker #
In June, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, a Democrat, moved to suspend new tax incentives for data centers.
The details: Pritzker also called on the state legislature to help him advance reforms to data center development that would ensure developers pay their fair share for power use, minimize water use, and be more transparent.
Past views: Pritzker celebrated when his state reeled in major projects, such as Meta's $1 billion data center in DeKalb.
"As Illinois grows its status as a technology hub of the future, this data center is bringing investment and vitality to a newly thriving community," Pritzker said in a statement when the data center opened in 2023.
The explanation: A spokesperson for Pritzker said the conversation around data centers has changed with the advent of AI hyperscalers.
"Responsible governance means reassessing incentives when circumstances change," the spokesperson said. "He supports responsible growth of the industry, but not at the expense of higher utility bills, grid reliability or Illinois' water resources."
Wes Moore #
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore said that data center projects must follow his guidelines to receive his support.
The details: In his February State of the State address, Moore said that data center projects seeking his support must hire local workers, engage the community, and cover the cost of their power needs. More recently, he has portrayed Virginia, home to Data Center Alley, as a cautionary tale.
"The way they did it there cannot and will not happen in the state of Maryland," Moore said during an event in August, according to Maryland Matters.
Past views: In 2024, Moore announced that legislation removing regulatory barriers to technology infrastructure was part of his agenda for the legislative session. When he later signed the bill into law, Moore praised what it would mean for the state.
"This bill is going to supercharge the data center industry in Maryland so we can unleash more economic potential and create more good-paying union jobs," Moore said in May 2024.
The explanation: A spokesperson for Moore did not provide a comment to Business Insider.
Greg Abbott #
In August, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, a Republican, announced an effective on data centers seeking to connect to the state's power grid until the Public Utility Commission and Electric Reliability Council of Texas, which operates an independent grid that services the vast majority of the state, conduct a comprehensive audit.
The details: Abbott's order cited the need to ensure ERCOT can keep up with future demand. In a statement explaining the audit, Abbott's office noted that 90% of new power requests are for data centers. Abbott also directed the two entities to gather information about proposed data centers, including their power generation, water consumption, ownership, and the extent to which the projects may need public assistance.
Past views: Abbott previously bragged about his state's ability to attract big projects. In November 2025, he celebrated Google's planned $40 billion investment by saying, "Texas is the epicenter of AI development."
The explanation: Abbott said data center developers had only themselves to blame for the backlash.
"They pop up in places that nobody ever heard of before, until they started the construction," Abbott said on ABC's "This Week" on August 23. "And so they had not been working in collaboration with the state, they'd not been in collaboration with local governments, and so they basically dug their own grave for the problem that's been caused for them, and that's why they got the backlash they deserve."
Byron Donalds #
Florida Republican gubernatorial nominee Byron Donalds' campaign has published an ad saying he would "protect Florida families and communities from data centers."
The details: Donalds, who currently serves in the US House, has introduced legislation that would require data centers to generate their own power and to source their water from outside public systems.
Past views: According to Florida Politics, a digital media site, Donalds previously questioned other candidates who want to data center construction.
"There ain't no bans coming," he said.
Donalds' opponent, former Rep. David Jolly, who was previously a Republican and has since switched parties, has pledged to hyperscale data center construction for at least one year.
The explanation: A spokesperson for Donalds did not respond to a request for comment from Business Insider.
Spencer Cox #
In May, Utah Gov. Spencer Cox, a Republican, issued an executive order that called for "a higher bar" for data center development.
The details: Cox's order called for state agencies to adopt a framework for considering data centers that focuses on transparency, protecting ratepayers, managing water consumption, and mitigating environmental impacts. Separately, Cox called for reforms to a state agency that pushed what became a controversial data center project.
Past views: Cox was a strong proponent of the Stratos Project, an initially proposed 40,000-acre hyperscale AI data center campus that is backed by "Shark Tank" investor Kevin O'Leary. Cox initially questioned those who criticized the proposal.
"I'm so tired of our country taking years to get stuff done. It's the dumbest thing ever. We think that taking time makes things better or safer, it absolutely does not," Cox said during an April news conference. "You get a chance to give your feedback, and then decisions get made. That's how we have to do stuff in this country and in this state."
The explanation: A spokesperson for Cox did not respond to Business Insider's request for comment. In the wake of the news conference, Cox wrote on X that his statements "did not meet the expectations I have for myself. I seek to do better." He also told reporters that public pressure helped spur his order.
"Public pressure is important, and if I had had any concerns about water and the Great Salt Lake, I would have opposed it from the very beginning," Cox said in June, per local news station KSL. "But the public has brought up some concerns that some of us didn't think about that are important, and that matters."
Jon Husted #
Sen. Jon Husted of Ohio, a Republican, is sponsoring legislation that would codify elements of President Donald Trump's "Ratepayer Protection Pledge" into law.
The details: In July, Husted introduced legislation requiring states to consider standards for data centers and other large electricity users that consume 100 megawatts or more at a single site or campus. The standards include requiring those customers to cover the cost of grid upgrades needed to serve them.
Past views: As lieutenant governor, Husted celebrated Google's 2024 announcement that it would invest $2.3 billion in the state.
"Data centers are essential to our digital lives and Google's additional multibillion-dollar investment further establishes central Ohio as an important tech hub in America," Husted said in a statement at the time.
The explanation: Sen. Husted's spokesperson said his view had not changed. He sounded a similar note when Spectrum News asked him about his past statements.
"It's not really a shift. I was always trying to hold these companies accountable by making them pay local property taxes… working to make them pay their share of the infrastructure that they're required to… making sure that they hired local labor," he told the news outlet in July. "So this is very consistent for me, holding them accountable."
Vivek Ramaswamy #
Ohio Republican gubernatorial nominee Vivek Ramaswamy has promised that if elected, he would approval of any new data center project announcements until state lawmakers passed his preferred requirements.
The details: In August, Ramaswamy announced he would issue an executive order to halt "the approval of any new data center project announcements" until his framework was passed into law. His requirements include providing free electricity for homeowners in communities with data centers, requiring data centers to pay full property taxes and then using the revenue to cut Ohio homeowners' property taxes, and requiring the facilities to comply with environmental standards.
"There are hundreds of data centers already across our state, and the pace of construction is accelerating," he said in a statement released by his campaign. "While I had no part in these past projects, I am committed to ensuring our policies catch up to current realities."
Past views: Previously, Ramaswamy said the fast pace of Ohio's data center buildout "was a good thing," provided the grid could keep up.
"We've got AI data centers moving to our state, that's a good thing, that's a good thing, I want the sectors of the future to come here," he said in March 2025. "But that will make a level of demand on our electric grid of a kind that we have not seen in the history of our state."
The explanation: A spokesperson for Ramaswamy did not respond to a request for comment from Business Insider.
Mike Rogers #
Michigan Republican senatorial nominee Mike Rogers has called for a one-year moratorium on new data centers in the state.
The details: Rogers, who represented Michigan in Congress for 14 years, told the Detroit News in August that he supported a but only at the state level.
"While I don't support a federal ban, Michigan needs stronger guardrails to protect community control, prevent utility price hikes, protect our water and stop pay-to-play schemes," Rogers said in a statement to the newspaper. "That is why I am calling for a one-year moratorium on new data centers until we establish a fair, transparent approval process that puts local communities first."
Past views: Previously, Rogers, who is running in one of the nation's most closely watched US Senate races, was generally supportive of data center construction, provided it had local buy-in. After the White House released Trump's AI framework in March, Rogers said, "The choice is simple: lead the charge or fall behind. Let's get this done."
In July, the former congressman told WXYZ that communities would be attracted when they see data center development could fuel property tax cuts, "I have a feeling some communities, when they see what that means to their property tax, are going to say, 'Hey, could you build another one, please real soon?'"
The explanation: A spokesperson for Rogers did not provide a comment to Business Insider.