- Will any state enact a data center moratorium by December 31?26¢26 %
Recent midterm election results and incoming governors in key states like Ohio, Georgia, Michigan, and Texas have amplified local opposition to data center growth over energy and water demands, yet these officials do not take office until January 2027. New York’s existing executive-order pause on large facilities and scattered local moratoria or ballot measures have not translated into additional statewide legislative action. With most state legislatures adjourned or focused on other priorities through year-end, traders see little near-term path for a new moratorium to clear committees, votes, and signing before December 31. Upcoming catalysts remain limited to possible special sessions or executive tweaks, both viewed as low-probability before the calendar turns.
Regler
This market will resolve to "Yes" if any U.S. state enacts legislation that establishes a statewide moratorium on new data centers by December 31, 2026, 11:59 PM ET. Otherwise, this market will resolve to "No". A qualifying moratorium must temporarily or indefinitely prohibit, suspend, or pause the approval, permitting, construction, connection to the electrical grid or other utility infrastructure, or operation of new data centers, or a defined category of new data centers, within that state. Qualifying legislation includes any state bill that establishes such a data center moratorium. Qualifying legislation must be enacted into law in accordance with the applicable state’s constitutional and legal procedures. This generally requires final passage by the relevant state legislature and approval by the governor, becoming law without signature, or taking effect through a veto override or other lawful mechanism. Legislation that does not become law under the applicable state process, including vetoed bills that do not take effect, does not qualify. The primary resolution sources for this market will be official state legislative trackers, governor’s office announcements, secretary of state records, and other official information from the relevant state government; however, a consensus of credible reporting may also be used.