{
  "as_of": "2026-11-05T06:00-06:00",
  "license": "https://opendatacommons.org/licenses/odbl/1-0/",
  "attribution": "Main Street Megawatt",
  "url": "https://mainstreetmegawatt.com/moratoriums/",
  "tally": {
    "as_of": "2026-11-05",
    "as_of_display": "Nov 5, 2026",
    "statewide_holds_in_force": 3,
    "statewide_holds_detail": "Texas (TCEQ permit hold by executive order); New York (Executive Order 62, Jul 14, 2026: DEC pauses discretionary permits for data centers of 50 MW or more pending a generic environmental impact statement); Oregon (Sep 8, 2026 pause on state land requests plus Oct 9, 2026 DEQ air and water permit pause, both through Jul 1, 2027)",
    "statewide_rules_not_bans": "Pennsylvania (Aug 18, 2026 executive order sets rules for data center permits; not a ban)",
    "state_laws_banning_data_centers": 0,
    "federal_bills": [
      {
        "id": "S.4214",
        "title": "AI Data Center Moratorium Act",
        "status": "stalled",
        "introduced": "2026-03-25",
        "congress": 119
      }
    ],
    "local_measures": {
      "source": "Ballotpedia",
      "source_url": "https://ballotpedia.org/Data_center-related_ballot_measures%2C_2026",
      "as_of": "2026-11-04",
      "decided": 47,
      "favored_limits": 46,
      "unofficial": true,
      "note": "Results mostly unofficial until canvass. Counts include earlier 2026 votes and mix bans, megawatt caps, voter-approval rules and advisory questions."
    },
    "governors": [
      {
        "name": "Greg Abbott",
        "party": "R",
        "state": "TX",
        "bucket": "In force now",
        "summary": "Texas: directed TCEQ to halt permits sought by data centers until the ERCOT audit is done. Executive permit hold, not a law.",
        "sources": [
          "https://gov.texas.gov/news/post/governor-abbott-directs-tceq-to-halt-data-center-permits"
        ]
      },
      {
        "name": "Kathy Hochul",
        "party": "D",
        "state": "NY",
        "bucket": "In force now",
        "summary": "New York: Executive Order 62 (Jul 14, 2026). DEC pauses discretionary permits to build or expand data centers of 50 MW or more until the state finishes a generic environmental impact statement. Local permits continue.",
        "sources": [
          "https://www.governor.ny.gov/executive-order/no-62-establishing-temporary-moratorium-data-centers-new-york-while-state-develops"
        ]
      },
      {
        "name": "Tina Kotek",
        "party": "D",
        "state": "OR",
        "bucket": "In force now",
        "summary": "Oregon: Sep 8, 2026 pause on state land requests for data centers, then an Oct 9, 2026 letter asking DEQ to pause air and water discharge permits for new or expanded data centers. Both run through Jul 1, 2027. Not a ban on private land.",
        "sources": [
          "https://apps.oregon.gov/oregon-newsroom/OR/GOV/Posts/Post/governor-kotek-pauses-work-on-requests-for-state-land-to-support-new-data-centers",
          "https://www.opb.org/pdf/100926_GovernorLettertoDEQDataCenterPermitting_1791931532928.pdf"
        ]
      },
      {
        "name": "Josh Shapiro",
        "party": "D",
        "state": "PA",
        "bucket": "In force now",
        "summary": "Pennsylvania: Aug 18, 2026 executive order. Takes data centers off fast track permitting, bars project NDAs with state agencies and sets binding commitments for large projects. Rules, not a ban.",
        "sources": [
          "https://www.pa.gov/governor/newsroom/2026-press-releases/governor-shapiro-signs-executive-order-on-data-center-developmen"
        ]
      },
      {
        "name": "Gina Hinojosa",
        "party": "D",
        "state": "TX",
        "bucket": "Governor-elect promises",
        "summary": "Texas, governor-elect: promised a statewide moratorium on new data centers until the Legislature passes protections. Takes office Jan 19, 2027. Nothing enacted.",
        "sources": [
          "https://ginafortexas.com/priority/data-centers/"
        ]
      },
      {
        "name": "Amy Acton",
        "party": "D",
        "state": "OH",
        "bucket": "Governor-elect promises",
        "summary": "Ohio, governor-elect: backs a conditional moratorium. Projects must cover all utility costs, use union labor and meet environmental standards. Campaign promise.",
        "sources": [
          "https://actonforgovernor.com/issue/data-centers/"
        ]
      },
      {
        "name": "Keisha Lance Bottoms",
        "party": "D",
        "state": "GA",
        "bucket": "Governor-elect promises",
        "summary": "Georgia, governor-elect: plans a temporary statewide pause on new data center construction, measured in months. Campaign promise.",
        "sources": [
          "https://www.keishaforgovernor.com/news/on-wrbl-bottoms-highlights-her-plan-to-pause-construction-on-data-centers-as-jackson-profits"
        ]
      },
      {
        "name": "Jocelyn Benson",
        "party": "D",
        "state": "MI",
        "bucket": "Governor-elect promises",
        "summary": "Michigan, governor-elect: will put a moratorium on data centers until enforceable rules cover power costs, water use, tax breaks and public hearings. Campaign promise.",
        "sources": [
          "https://www.jocelynbenson.com/issues/data-centers"
        ]
      },
      {
        "name": "Deb Haaland",
        "party": "D",
        "state": "NM",
        "bucket": "Governor-elect promises",
        "summary": "New Mexico, governor-elect: moratorium on new large projects until guardrails exist, such as their own renewable power and no rate pass-through. Campaign promise.",
        "sources": [
          "https://debhaaland.com/2026/09/haaland-backs-data-center-moratorium-outlines-accountability-plan-to-stand-up-for-new-mexicos-water-and-communities/"
        ]
      },
      {
        "name": "David Crowley",
        "party": "D",
        "state": "WI",
        "bucket": "Governor-elect promises",
        "summary": "Wisconsin, governor-elect: backs a pause while the DNR finishes its environmental review, plus a local veto. Campaign position.",
        "sources": [
          "https://www.crowleyforwi.com/data-centers",
          "https://www.wpr.org/news/governor-candidate-david-crowley-data-centers-budget-surplus-elections"
        ]
      },
      {
        "name": "Katie Hobbs",
        "party": "D",
        "state": "AZ",
        "bucket": "Reject a statewide pause",
        "summary": "Arizona, reelected: rejects a statewide moratorium. Supports data centers that meet state water and power standards and pay their own way.",
        "sources": [
          "https://www.kjzz.org/politics/2026-09-03/gov-hobbs-wont-pause-arizona-data-center-development-despite-calls-to-do-so"
        ]
      },
      {
        "name": "Byron Donalds",
        "party": "R",
        "state": "FL",
        "bucket": "Reject a statewide pause",
        "summary": "Florida, governor-elect: opposes a statewide moratorium. Says county commissioners issue building permits, not governors.",
        "sources": [
          "https://www.news4jax.com/news/politics/2026/10/06/jolly-vs-donalds-where-floridas-governor-candidates-stand-on-ai-data-centers-and-amendment-3/"
        ]
      }
    ]
  },
  "claims": [
    {
      "id": "tx-abbott-pause",
      "claim": "Texas has paused certain new data center permits and grid connections; existing facilities are unaffected",
      "verdict": "Real",
      "detail": "Executive directive, not a law. TCEQ halts all permits sought by data centers until the ERCOT audit is done; Aug 3 order paused new grid connections.",
      "scope": "Statewide; new state permits and approvals for data center infrastructure; construction that needs no new TCEQ permit can continue",
      "duration": "Until ERCOT audit completes (expected about Dec 2026); no binding end date",
      "status_date": "2026-10-19",
      "primary_sources": [
        "https://gov.texas.gov/news/post/governor-abbott-directs-tceq-to-halt-data-center-permits",
        "https://www.tceq.texas.gov/downloads/response/tceq-response-gov-abbott-dc-directive.pdf"
      ],
      "seen_in": [
        "Morning Brew 2026-11-05",
        "Reuters via Investing.com"
      ]
    },
    {
      "id": "tx-hinojosa-moratorium",
      "claim": "Texas just voted in a data center moratorium / ban",
      "verdict": "Misleading",
      "detail": "Hinojosa won and promised a ban on all data center approvals until the Legislature passes protections. Nothing enacted. She takes office Jan 19, 2027; Legislature convenes Jan 12, 2027. Ending tax breaks or giving local votes needs the Legislature.",
      "scope": "Proposed statewide pause on approvals",
      "duration": "Until new laws pass (campaign promise)",
      "status_date": "2026-11-04",
      "primary_sources": [
        "https://ginafortexas.com/priority/data-centers/",
        "https://www.texastribune.org/2026/11/04/data-center-texas-pause-gina-hinojosa-governor-policies/"
      ],
      "seen_in": [
        "Morning Brew"
      ]
    },
    {
      "id": "ga-bottoms-pause",
      "claim": "Georgia will pause new data centers",
      "verdict": "Not yet verified",
      "detail": "Campaign statement by governor-elect: pause of 'one to six months or longer'. Not in her written platform per JPM. Nothing enacted.",
      "scope": "Statewide, new developments (promise)",
      "duration": "1 to 6 months or longer (promise)",
      "status_date": "2026-11-05",
      "primary_sources": [],
      "seen_in": [
        "Morning Brew"
      ],
      "note": "Not yet verified against a primary campaign or state page"
    },
    {
      "id": "oh-acton-conditional",
      "claim": "Ohio elected a governor who called for an immediate moratorium",
      "verdict": "Proposed",
      "detail": "Conditional moratorium: data centers must cover 100% of utility costs, union labor, transparency. Campaign platform only.",
      "scope": "Statewide, conditional",
      "duration": null,
      "status_date": "2026-11-05",
      "primary_sources": [
        "https://actonforgovernor.com/issue/data-centers/"
      ],
      "seen_in": [
        "Morning Brew"
      ]
    },
    {
      "id": "nm-haaland-pause",
      "claim": "New Mexico pausing large data centers",
      "verdict": "Proposed",
      "detail": "Platform calls for a pause on new large-scale projects until guardrails exist.",
      "scope": null,
      "duration": null,
      "status_date": "2026-09",
      "primary_sources": [
        "https://debhaaland.com/2026/09/haaland-backs-data-center-moratorium-outlines-accountability-plan-to-stand-up-for-new-mexicos-water-and-communities/"
      ],
      "seen_in": []
    },
    {
      "id": "nv-ford",
      "claim": "Nevada moratorium",
      "verdict": "Misleading",
      "detail": "Ford proposed pausing tax breaks, wage standards and making data centers pay for residential rate increases. Not a construction moratorium.",
      "scope": null,
      "duration": null,
      "status_date": "2026-11-05",
      "primary_sources": [
        "https://www.fordfornevada.com/issues/data-centers"
      ],
      "seen_in": []
    },
    {
      "id": "half-of-us-projects",
      "claim": "Roughly half of proposed US data center projects are now in areas with leaders who promised to halt them",
      "verdict": "Not supported",
      "detail": "No primary source or method given.",
      "scope": null,
      "duration": null,
      "status_date": "2026-11-05",
      "primary_sources": [],
      "seen_in": [
        "Morning Brew 2026-11-05"
      ]
    },
    {
      "id": "federal-sanders",
      "claim": "A national data center moratorium is coming / Democrats want AI frozen on Day One",
      "verdict": "Proposed",
      "detail": "S.4214 AI Data Center Moratorium Act (Sanders, with AOC House companion), introduced 2026-03-25, referred to Senate Commerce, no action since. New Congress seated Jan 2027; bill would die at end of 119th Congress and face a possible veto.",
      "scope": "National, all AI data center construction or upgrades",
      "duration": null,
      "status_date": "2026-03-25",
      "primary_sources": [
        "https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/4214"
      ],
      "seen_in": [
        "Evolving AI Insights 2026-11-05",
        "Benzinga"
      ]
    },
    {
      "id": "local-ballot-tally",
      "claim": "Voters rejected data centers in 40 of 41 / 42 of 45 / 43 of 44 / 38 localities",
      "verdict": "Real",
      "detail": "Ballotpedia as of Nov 4: at least 50 local measures in 13 states in 2026; 47 decided; 46 favored limits; only Harwood ND went the other way. Counts include earlier 2026 votes and mix bans, MW caps, voter-approval rules and advisory questions. Ohio has the most (about 20 per JPM citing Ballotpedia).",
      "scope": "Local only: cities, villages, townships",
      "duration": null,
      "status_date": "2026-11-04",
      "primary_sources": [
        "https://ballotpedia.org/Data_center-related_ballot_measures%2C_2026"
      ],
      "seen_in": [
        "POLITICO West Wing Playbook 2026-11-04",
        "Robinhood Snacks (citing Semafor)",
        "Morning Brew",
        "Sanders on X"
      ]
    },
    {
      "id": "local-outright-bans",
      "claim": "Towns banned data centers outright",
      "verdict": "Local only",
      "detail": "Examples per Ballotpedia: Alhambra CA (82% yes), Edgewater FL charter ban (77%), Granville OH (82%), Hubbard OH (77%), Pataskala OH large-scale (74%). Conneaut, Defiance, Oregon OH cap at 25 MW. Bloomington IL is advisory only. Results mostly unofficial until canvass.",
      "scope": "City or village; most target new or large facilities",
      "duration": null,
      "status_date": "2026-11-04",
      "primary_sources": [
        "https://ballotpedia.org/Data_center-related_ballot_measures%2C_2026"
      ],
      "seen_in": [
        "POLITICO",
        "Morning Brew"
      ]
    },
    {
      "id": "statewide-ban-enacted",
      "claim": "States have banned data centers",
      "verdict": "Not supported",
      "detail": "No state law banning data centers found. JPM itself notes most states have not placed an outright ban. Texas pause is an executive permit hold.",
      "scope": null,
      "duration": null,
      "status_date": "2026-11-05",
      "primary_sources": [],
      "seen_in": [
        "Headlines generally"
      ]
    }
  ],
  "texas_explainer": {
    "title": "Texas TCEQ permit hold",
    "covers": "New state permits and approvals for data center infrastructure. TCEQ halts permits sought by data centers until the ERCOT audit is done. An Aug 3 order also paused new grid connections.",
    "does_not_cover": "Construction that needs no new TCEQ permit can continue. Running sites are not shut down by this hold.",
    "key_dates": [
      {
        "label": "ERCOT audit expected",
        "when": "about December 2026"
      },
      {
        "label": "Texas Legislature convenes",
        "when": "Jan 12, 2027"
      },
      {
        "label": "Governor-elect Gina Hinojosa inauguration",
        "when": "Jan 19, 2027"
      }
    ],
    "primary_sources": [
      "https://gov.texas.gov/news/post/governor-abbott-directs-tceq-to-halt-data-center-permits",
      "https://www.tceq.texas.gov/downloads/response/tceq-response-gov-abbott-dc-directive.pdf"
    ]
  }
}