Weekly State Rankings — April 27, 2026

#1 Missouri (MO)

This week's top 10 saw several dramatic rank shifts driven by a mix of high-profile project approvals and newly enacted moratoriums. Missouri jumped seven spots to claim the number one position after St. Louis gave final approval to a $3 billion data center project, while Florida surged 11 spots following a state-level intervention that killed a major project in Okeechobee County. Wisconsin also climbed 13 spots as moratorium activity and organized opposition intensified across multiple counties.

Missouri rises seven spots to the top of the rankings this week, earning an A grade after St. Louis moved decisively on a major data center development. The St. Louis Board of Public Service green-lit a data center project near the Armory, according to KMOV St. Louis. The St. Louis American confirmed the project received its final approval from the city. Spectrum News reported that the city board approved permits for what is described as a $3 billion data center and office project in Midtown.

The picture elsewhere in Missouri remains more complicated. The prior week saw the small town of Lester enact a moratorium on data centers, as noted in coverage by CNBC. In Festus, a data center rezoning approval continued to divide the local council, according to Leader Publications. Newsweek reported that city leaders in Festus suffered an election wipeout after approving the data center project. Despite those local tensions, the scale and speed of the St. Louis approvals propelled Missouri to the top spot.

#2 Arizona (AZ)

Arizona slips one spot to number two but holds its A grade. The state's regulatory landscape continues to be shaped by the massive Project Blue development in the Tucson area. Construction has begun despite local opposition, with Herald/Review Media reporting that dozens protested as construction got underway. AZPM News covered a rally against the construction, noting that a lawsuit has also been filed in Pima County. Meanwhile, in northern Arizona, Arizona Daily Sun reported that Flagstaff city staff discussed data centers with the city council, with a moratorium proposed.

The prior week saw important developments for the Project Blue trajectory. KJZZ reported that a judge dismissed a lawsuit against Pima County over the Project Blue rezoning, and KGUN 9 confirmed that land preparation had begun. In Cochise County, CaloNews.com reported that the county will regulate data centers but rejected a moratorium, even as some residents pushed for stronger restrictions.

#3 Texas (TX)

Texas jumps nine spots to number three, earning an A grade this week. In Houston, a moratorium was rejected and a project was approved, as reported by Morning Brew. However, not all projects moved forward. In Hutto, Zydeco Development withdrew its zoning request for a data center, according to Community Impact. The Taylor Press also covered the withdrawal.

The prior week was mixed. Round Rock enacted a moratorium on data centers amid opposition that Just The News described as turning violent. In Fort Worth, the Zoning Commission voted to advance a data center project, per the Fort Worth Report. In Lubbock County, a zoning request was denied, as noted by the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal. The Houston moratorium rejection was a key driver of the state's rise in the rankings.

#4 Pennsylvania (PA)

Pennsylvania moves up two spots to number four with a B grade. This week brought a mix of regulatory action and new development proposals. In West Rockhill, supervisors passed data center rules but plan to amend them following public outcry, with a moratorium also proposed, according to the Bucks County Herald. In the Lehigh Valley, a warehouse-to-data-center conversion was proposed in Allen Township, as reported by LehighValleyNews.com and The Morning Call.

The prior week included Olyphant Borough Council voting for a six-month pause on data center development, covered by WNEP in multiple reports. WNEP also confirmed the moratorium's passage. In the Poconos, residents voiced concern over data center development in Tobyhanna, per WNEP. Pennsylvania continues to see regulatory activity across multiple regions.

#5 Florida (FL)

Florida surges 11 spots to number five, earning a B grade, after a high-profile state-level intervention. The governor's office canceled the Okee-One data center project in Okeechobee County, according to WPBF 25 News. WGCU reported that the project was declared dead by the state and that county officials scrapped a broader proposal to allow other energy-intensive uses. In Fort Meade, a data center project received approval but faces water-related scrutiny from neighboring Lakeland, as reported by LkldNow.

The prior week set the stage for this week's developments. Florida's commerce secretary came out strongly against the proposed AI data center in Fort Meade, per WUSF. In Indiantown, the board advanced rezoning on newly annexed land with potential for data center uses, according to WQCS. The Suncoast Searchlight reported on zoning approvals in Arcadia. The state-level project cancellation in Okeechobee was a defining event for the week.

#6 Maryland (MD)

Maryland drops two spots to number six with a B grade. The state saw continued moratorium activity this week. Harford County Council is mulling a data center development pause, according to the Baltimore Sun. On the approval side, Everything Frederick LIVE! reported that Maryland approved 99 diesel generators at an Amazon data center in Adamstown. In Prince Frederick, an environmental panel presented data center recommendations, and the Calvert County moratorium was rejected, per SoMdNews.com.

The prior week saw the Utility RELIEF Act expected to pass both legislative chambers in Annapolis, as reported by WBAL-TV. In Prince Frederick, the Calvert Environmental Commission recommended environmental studies before a moratorium vote, per The BayNet. The BayNet also covered planning and environmental commission discussions about data center impacts. Maryland's regulatory environment remains active at both the state and county levels.

#7 Wisconsin (WI)

Wisconsin climbs 13 spots to number seven, the largest jump in this week's top 10, with a B grade. Moratorium proposals and organized opposition drove the state's rise. The Cap Times published an editorial calling for Dane County to put a moratorium on data centers. The same outlet published an opinion piece about Wisconsin communities fighting back, referencing a moratorium proposal, a blocked project, and a lawsuit in Port Washington. In Manitowoc County, a local organization offered an extra presentation on data center concerns, as covered by Seehafer News.

The prior week saw Port Washington enact a moratorium, as reported by Smart Cities Dive. In Beaver Dam, a new data center was approved even as utilities faced scrutiny over electric costs, per WPR. Wisconsin Watch confirmed that Beaver Dam approved its second data center. The combination of moratorium activity and local activism has made Wisconsin one of the most dynamic states to watch.

#8 Indiana (IN)

Indiana drops six spots to number eight with a B grade. The state saw multiple moratoriums enacted and rising tensions. WTHR reported on a moratorium enacted in Indianapolis as opposition to data center expansion grows. Insight News covered the broader backlash, noting firebombs, gunfire, and a rezoning fight in Indianapolis. Marshall County went further, enacting a permanent ban on data centers, per InkFreeNews.com.

The prior week also featured moratorium activity. Evansville enacted a moratorium that may factor into the Vanderburgh County election, according to the Courier & Press. WATE 6 On Your Side reported that tensions over AI reached new highs after violent attacks in Indianapolis. The Verge covered the broader implications of attacks on AI industry figures. Indiana's regulatory environment has become significantly more restrictive over the past two weeks.

#9 Illinois (IL)

Illinois rises five spots to number nine with a B grade. The dominant story this week was Champaign County, where the county board approved a 12-month moratorium on large data centers in rural areas. Mahomet Daily reported the moratorium while noting that one project was still approved. IPM Newsroom confirmed the yearlong moratorium and reported that a project was delayed as a result. wandtv.com also covered the moratorium's passage.

The prior week saw broader statewide activity. The State Journal-Register published a Democratic lawmaker's case for responsible data center growth, referencing zoning approvals in Talkington. Capitol City Now reported that survey results backed up concerns about data centers in Sangamon County. In Yorkville, a rezoning request was withdrawn, prompting the mayor to say the city had "had enough" data center proposals, per the Chicago Tribune.

#10 Iowa (IA)

Iowa rises three spots to round out the top 10 with a B grade. Mason City was the focal point this week. KAALTV reported that residents are pushing back on a potential data center project, and that a moratorium was enacted alongside a zoning approval. KTTC covered a Mason City resident's request for the council to commission an independent environmental study on the proposed project. On the development side, Business Record highlighted Ankeny data center projects among 2025's highest-valued building projects.

The prior week saw moratorium discussions spread to new parts of the state. In Dickinson County, supervisors discussed a moratorium covering solar, bitcoin, battery, and data center projects, according to Explore Okoboji. Iowa's regulatory activity is concentrated in smaller communities weighing infrastructure impacts.