Scott Colom Called for Mississippi Data Center Moratorium
The Democratic Senate candidate proposed a pause to evaluate energy impacts and develop new state regulations.
Updated on Sept. 25, 2026 in Data Centers
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Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Scott Colom has called for a temporary ban on new data center projects in Mississippi. He proposed the moratorium to allow officials time to study the potential impacts of these facilities on electricity bills and local communities.
Why it matters
The proposal highlights growing concerns over the infrastructure demands of the AI industry. As data centers become central to local economic debates, they are emerging as a key issue for upcoming statewide elections.
Mississippi currently has seven data center projects under construction across the state. This follows a broader industry trend seen elsewhere, such as in New York, where officials previously implemented a one-year moratorium on similar developments.
The players
Scott Colom
Scott Colom is a Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate in Mississippi.
Cindy Hyde-Smith
Cindy Hyde-Smith is a Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate currently receiving support from the Leading the Future super PAC.
Leading the Future
Leading the Future is a super PAC funded by Greg Brockman, Marc Andreessen, and Ben Horowitz that supports candidates opposing AI regulation.
Greg Abbott
Greg Abbott is the Governor of Texas who previously paused new data center approvals pending power grid audits.
The details
Colom is seeking to address the strain on power grids and public utility costs associated with large-scale data center development. His call for a pause mirrors similar actions taken elsewhere, such as in Texas, where Governor Greg Abbott recently paused new approvals pending audits of the state power grid.
Timeline
The state began seeing an influx of data center projects in 2024.
Hundreds of residents attended a planning meeting in Walls, Mississippi, in September 2026.
Scott Colom issued his call for a temporary ban on September 24, 2026.
Roadmap
The proposal follows the precedent set by the one-year moratorium on data centers in New York. This mirrors a national shift where states are increasingly evaluating the long-term energy consequences of data center infrastructure.
Residents may see significant changes in local zoning policies and utility planning as state officials weigh the potential for a moratorium. The outcome could directly influence future household electricity rates and local grid stability in areas currently hosting new developments.
The takeaway
The intersection of artificial intelligence growth and power grid capacity is becoming a central political friction point. Voters should monitor how candidates reconcile the economic benefits of tech investment with the rising costs of energy infrastructure.
Further reading
Learn more about the infrastructure and regulatory environment at Data Centers.
Source note: This article includes information reported by DeSoto County News.
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Should your state government temporarily restrict new data center construction to protect local power grids?
