54 GW of new data center capacity was added to the US pipeline in Q2 2026, up 29% year-over-year, according to Wood Mackenzie. At the same time, state and local lawmakers are passing hundreds of data center moratoriums.

Cumulative US disclosed data center pipeline now totals more than 430 GW, of which about 59% is under active development. Projects totaling nearly 80 GW are currently under construction, up from 44 GW at the end of Q1, according to Wood Mackenzie’s US data center pipeline Q3 report.

This activity takes place against the backdrop of increased scrutiny and local opposition against data centers, which has triggered more than 400 data center moratoriums since January 2026 from state and local lawmakers, affecting 18% of tracked data center sites, representing more than 100 GW of planned capacity.

“The latest data reveals projects are steadily advancing from early development to permitting and construction phases,” said Caitlin Connelly, senior analyst, Wood Mackenzie. “However, power availability and local opposition will remain key constraints to near-term buildout.”

Development is concentrating geographically, with PJM and ERCOT accounting for nearly half of all capacity under development. PJM has pushed ahead of ERCOT in total development capacity, with ~20 GW of new projects entering active development in H1 2026 alone. ERCOT's pipeline, meanwhile, appears to be the most mature, with more than 40% of its development capacity already under construction.

The top five developers account for a quarter of both planned and development capacity, and the pipeline is dominated by a relatively small number of large, sophisticated players. Capital concentration is even more pronounced, as total disclosed planned capex exceeds $2.3 trillion nationally.

Of the 400 data center moratoriums now spanning 42 states, the most significant single action is the September 2026 pause on new data center permits in Texas and audit of the existing pipeline, which puts more than 60 GW of planned projects in Wood Mackenzie’s tracker under scrutiny.

Despite the increase in activity, which included just 45 such actions across 2023-2025, the picture is more nuanced than it appears, as 92% of moratoriums target land use or zoning approvals, with average durations of six to twelve months.

“We will likely continue to see local opposition, but the current moratoriums suggest that lawmakers are seeking time to develop stronger frameworks rather than moving to impose outright bans,” said Connelly.