A Pelican Institute piece argues that the midterm elections went badly for data centers, with all but one of the data center restriction measures on the ballot approved. It says Texas, Ohio and Wisconsin have reason to expect more restrictions, while 40 other states had no such measures on the ballot. The piece argues those states become more attractive to developers, citing Louisiana, where Meta's Hyperion campus in Richland Parish produced a first sales tax payment of $22.4 million. It also cites Amazon projects in Caddo and Bossier parishes, which it says bring over 700 direct jobs and an estimated 1,784 indirect jobs.
The piece cites exit polling in which 76% opposed building a new data center in their community. Among those voting for Congress, 23% rated data centers a top-tier factor and another 33% a "major factor." Developers weighing sites may need to answer questions on power costs, water sources, zoning, users and jobs, or risk ballot rejection.
The headline signals analysis of how data center zoning rules are changing after the midterm elections, a timely US policy topic. It ranked last because the snippet suggests commentary rather than a specific regulatory action.