Bitcoin miners with secured power capacity may gain a competitive edge in developing AI data centers following voter approval of restrictions on new data center projects across multiple US communities. Local measures approved during recent elections could make it harder for competitors to build new facilities, while miners with existing infrastructure face a different set of challenges.
Voters in 40 of 41 local contests tracked by Ballotpedia approved measures limiting data center development, driven by concerns about rising electricity costs, water usage, and community impact. The restrictions include citywide bans, limits on larger facilities, temporary pauses on new projects, and voter approval requirements for some developments.
Bitcoin mining companies have already begun transitioning into AI infrastructure, with publicly listed Bitcoin miners announcing more than $70 billion in AI and advanced computing contracts during 2025 and early 2026, according to a CoinShares first-quarter report. Local zoning decisions and electricity access often determine whether such projects can proceed, making existing infrastructure particularly valuable.
Infrastructure Costs Present Significant Barriers
The conversion from Bitcoin mining to AI data centers involves substantial additional investment. Building AI-ready data center infrastructure costs between $8 million and $15 million per megawatt, compared with $700,000 to $1 million per megawatt for traditional mining facilities, according to a 2026 CoinShares report.
Beyond power access, transitioning to AI workloads requires significant investment in cooling, networking, and reliability systems. Additionally, AI data centers typically require consistent power supplies, whereas Bitcoin miners can reduce electricity consumption when prices rise, creating different operational demands.
Congress Focuses on Grid Costs
The incoming Democratic-controlled Congress is expected to scrutinize how electricity grid expansion costs are allocated among large data center operators, consumers, and technology companies. Potential areas of focus include ensuring that data center operators bear infrastructure costs rather than passing them to consumers.
US data center electricity demand is projected to rise significantly. The International Energy Agency estimates that data centers used 224 terawatt-hours of electricity in 2025, with projections nearly doubling to 426 terawatt-hours by 2030.
Despite increased regulatory attention, experts note that AI infrastructure development remains strategically important to the US economy, suggesting Congress may still support domestic computing capacity investment.
