11 politicians who have changed their tune on data centers

In recent months, a noticeable shift has occurred among American politicians regarding their stance on data centers. Once vocal supporters, many elected officials are now reevaluating their positions due to intense public pushback. Here's how 11 officials are changing their tune on data centers:

1. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul: In July, Hochul imposed a one-year moratorium on hyperscale AI data centers in the state, requiring them to either power themselves or pay more for energy. She initially questioned the need for such a moratorium but now believes local communities lack the negotiating power to secure the best deals for data center development.

2. Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro: In August, Shapiro unveiled strict guardrails for data center development in his state. The order requires developers to secure local approval before receiving state permits, giving communities more power. Shapiro removed data centers from fast-track permitting and established guidelines for power generation and transparency, which if followed, could expedite permit review.

3. Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs: In response to tax incentives for data center development, Hobbs pushed state lawmakers to eliminate the incentive, which she called a "thirty-eight million dollar corporate handout." She stated that Arizona has become a national leader in the sector and it should now stand on its own.

4. Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker: In June, Pritzker suspended new tax incentives for data centers and called for reforms to ensure developers pay their fair share for power use, minimize water use, and be more transparent. Previously, Pritzker welcomed major data center projects to Illinois, praising their investment and vitality to the state.