Vermont
Vermont waged a real 2026 policy fight over data centers despite having virtually none: the Legislature passed H.727, a strong sustainable-data-center regulatory framework, but Gov. Phil Scott vetoed it and the House failed to override (83-52) on May 29; the moratorium bill S.205 stalled in committee, while Royalton voters adopted a first-in-state 5-year local moratorium (Compass Vermont, CLF (H.727), VTDigger (Royalton)).
ILens Signals
Civic/Governance Barriers activates on moratorium-class action (C1) — governance instruments on the electoral, legislative, and regulatory surface (protocol §10; Overview Civic breakout). Energy/Power is dominant (grid impact, regional renewable-generation study). Capital Flows/Insurability is a secondary stressor: H.727 was explicitly framed around protecting ratepayers and directing the PUC to assess cost impacts, and existing law already requires a data-center developer to fund infrastructure upgrades — a cost-allocation posture (CLF (H.727), Vermont Public (ratepayer)). Water/Geology is a secondary stressor cited in Royalton (excessive water/electricity/land use) (Royalton testimony PDF).
IIKey 2026 Races
None identified as data-center-defining. The issue surfaced in the Legislature and at Town Meeting rather than in contested 2026 campaigns; no 2026 Vermont gubernatorial, congressional, or legislative race was clearly centered on data centers in the public record (Vermont Public).
IIIMoratorium · Ban Status
No statewide moratorium enacted. S.205 (Sen. Becca White) proposed a moratorium on AI data centers (100 MW threshold as introduced) until July 1, 2030 pending a PUC study, but it remained in the Senate Finance Committee with no further action (VT Legislature S.205 status, Compass Vermont). The regulatory framework H.727 passed both chambers (Senate 26-3) but was vetoed by Gov. Scott (June 1) and the House sustained the veto 83-52 on May 29, killing it for the session (Compass Vermont, FastDemocracy VT H727, Broadband Breakfast). Local: Royalton voters approved a 5-year moratorium on AI/crypto data centers on Town Meeting Day (March 3, 2026) — first in state; South Burlington is drafting zoning definitions (VTDigger (Royalton), VTDigger (South Burlington)).
IVRatepayer · Cost-Shift Legislation
H.727 (Vermont Sustainable Data Centers Act) set a 20 MW enhanced-review threshold and directed the PUC to report on regional renewable generation market conditions to protect ratepayers; it was vetoed and the veto sustained, so no ratepayer statute was enacted in the 2026 session (CLF (H.727), VNRC, VT H.727 as passed by House PDF).
VBallot Measures
None identified as a Nov 2026 statewide measure. The relevant vote was a March 3, 2026 Town Meeting Day question in Royalton adopting a 5-year local moratorium (VTDigger (Royalton)).
VITop Contested Sites
No active large-scale data-center proposals before the state; Dept. of Public Service and Green Mountain Power report only 'one or two very speculative' inquiries, and one recent attempt collapsed on cost — the fight is preventive (Compass Vermont).
VIITalent · Workforce
Jobs framing present in the veto rationale (Scott cited protecting 'best jobs'); no distinct labor-organizing or displacement fight identified. Not a dominant domain (VTDigger (South Burlington)).
VIIIData Center Cluster Size
Minimal: Vermont sits at or near the bottom on commercial data-center and AI-adoption measures, with no active large-scale proposals and only speculative inquiries reported by utilities (Compass Vermont).
IXKey Quote
Gov. Phil Scott vetoed H.727 citing concerns the bill's 'broader message extended far beyond just data centers and into areas the state depends on for many of its best jobs,' and said Vermont already has substantial regulatory authority via Act 250, PUC oversight and local zoning (VTDigger (South Burlington), Broadband Breakfast).