Where do NH candidates stand on AI and data centers?
New Hampshire candidates across major statewide and congressional races have differing positions on data centers and artificial intelligence. Several candidates support a statewide moratorium, while others favor local control, and concerns include grid capacity, electricity costs and oversight of data center development.
New Hampshire Gov. Kelly Ayotte and Democratic challenger Cinde Warmington both support a temporary statewide moratorium on new data centers, but Ayotte would seek legislative approval through her 2027 budget while Warmington would impose one immediately by executive order. Ayotte has cited concerns that the state’s energy infrastructure cannot support large facilities without increasing utility costs, while Warmington argues the governor should have acted sooner.
Candidates for Congress also differ. Chris Pappas, John E. Sununu and Stefany Shaheen support a statewide moratorium, while Anthony DiLorenzo, Maggie Goodlander and Lily Tang Williams favor local decision-making or stricter oversight rather than a blanket ban. The article notes that earlier legislative efforts to restrict data center construction failed, but lawmakers are considering new data center and AI-related bills for the 2027 session. Pappas has also raised concerns about Meta using a federal tax credit to finance data center construction.