Data center boom puts GOP in a bind before midterms
Data center development has become a major political issue in Texas and other Republican-leaning states, where most U.S. projects are being built or planned. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has paused environmental permits and grid connections for new projects as public opposition grows and political campaigns increasingly focus on the issue.
New Cleanview research shows that roughly three-quarters of U.S. data centers under construction are located in predominantly Republican states, while about 80% of planned projects are in states that lean Republican. The findings help explain why data center development has become a growing political issue ahead of the midterm elections.
President Donald Trump has promoted data centers as important to economic growth and national security, but opposition is increasing, including among some of his political allies. Texas, which leads the nation in data centers under construction, has become a political battleground. Gov. Greg Abbott has paused environmental permits and grid connections for new projects, while AdImpact estimates that campaigns have spent $45 million this year on advertisements mentioning data centers, most of them opposing development.