Nearly half of planned US data centers for this year risk delays or cancellation due to import issues from China, exacerbated by tariffs. Community opposition is fueling moratoriums, with Maine poised to halt new construction until 2027. These hurdles challenge President Trump's push for rapid AI infrastructure buildout.
President Donald Trump prioritized rapid AI data center construction through executive orders last year to maintain US leadership over China in AI development. However, Bloomberg reported that almost half of US data centers planned for this year are expected to be delayed or canceled. Developers face shortages of transformers, switchgear, and batteries, mostly made in China, with delivery times stretching to five years due to tariffs—up from 24 to 30 months pre-2020. US manufacturing capacity cannot meet demand, according to Bloomberg, while Sightline Climate analysts noted that only a third of the largest AI data centers slated for 2026 are under construction now. Trump's March order directed tech companies to 'build, bring, or buy' power for their facilities but did not address these equipment shortages. In March, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) introduced the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Data Center Moratorium Act, calling for a pause on AI development to ensure human safety, including protections against rising electricity prices, community harm, and environmental damage. The Wall Street Journal reported Thursday that Maine is set to become the first state to pause all data center construction, likely until 2027, allowing assessment of impacts on the environment and grid. Maine residents face some of the nation's highest electricity prices, and at least 10 other states are monitoring the bill, with cities like Denver and Dallas considering bans, plus temporary pauses in Indiana and Michigan municipalities. A Harvard/MIT poll cited by Axios found Americans more concerned about data centers altering communities and quality of life than utility costs. Research highlighted by Gizmodo linked facilities to 'heat islands' that raise temperatures, affect rainfall, worsen pollution, and contribute to heat-related deaths. Climate attorney Tony Buxton told the WSJ, 'That’s the political reality. There is a very strong voter fear of data centers and AI.'
