Regardless of federal policies on AI infrastructure deployment, local zoning and permitting regulations and public opinion are having a major impact on the pace of data center development. According to Data Center Watch, over $64 billion in US data center projects have been blocked or delayed due to local opposition and regulatory challenges. This panel examines how zoning and permitting can inhibit data center construction and expansion, and how collaboration with government, local community stakeholders, and utility and grid operators can help defuse tensions and avert pushback as data center deployments surge.

Discussion points:

What are the major zoning and permitting bottlenecks impacting new data center deployments?
How are growing energy constraints leading to grid connection delays, and can standardized interconnection rules help accelerate interconnection of increasingly high-load projects?
How collaboration and partnerships with local communities and government agencies can fast-track approvals and overcome barriers
Not in my backyard: How are growing community concerns towards data centers slowing down growth, and what new measures can be introduced to foster trust and support?