Bloomberg Law reports that data center developers across the U.S. are encountering significant permitting delays and political friction as local and state governments respond to constituent pressure over power, water, and land use. The report identifies zoning disputes, utility interconnection backlogs, and legislative restrictions as the primary chokepoints slowing projects. Several major markets, including Virginia, Texas, and the mid-Atlantic, are seeing increased regulatory scrutiny after years of largely permissive treatment. Developers are now factoring longer permitting timelines into project financing models.