At least 29 US communities vote to ban or restrict new AI data centres, with Ohio approving 10 local measures and Texas electing a governor who supports a construction pause, challenging the industry’s rapid expansion
US communities have voted to curb new data centres. According to The Washington Post report, voters in at least 29 jurisdictions approved bans or restrictions on November 3, challenging the expansion of infrastructure supporting artificial intelligence (AI). In Ohio, a campaign group said all 10 local measures it helped draft to prohibit large-scale data centres had passed.
The election also brought a setback for developers in Texas, where Democrat Gina Hinojosa defeated incumbent governor Greg Abbott. Hinojosa supports a moratorium, a temporary pause on construction, and stronger protections for the environment and electricity customers.
