Ep. 043 - The Midterms and the 2028 Datacenter Buildout (Datacenters) | Jeremie Eliahou Ontiveros, Jordan Nanos, Maya Barkin, Wayne Ma

The U.S. midterm elections present significant, albeit nuanced, risks to the 2028 data center construction pipeline, while the 2027 outlook remains largely insulated by existing permits and ongoing construction. A bipartisan backlash against data centers is reshaping the industry, driven by local anxieties regarding grid stability, water consumption, and the perceived burden on taxpayers. Texas serves as a critical bellwether, where permit freezes and interconnection audits highlight the transition from state-sponsored incentives to stricter regulatory conditions. Developers are increasingly required to fund grid infrastructure and improve resource efficiency to secure project approvals. While some candidates advocate for temporary moratoriums, the broader trend points toward a more rigorous, transparent development process where companies must demonstrate tangible community benefits to overcome local opposition and maintain project momentum.