Future deployable compute capacity cannot be assessed by planned GPUs or megawatts alone, but by permitted megawatts, secured generation, grid connection, and community acceptance. New York's decision may accelerate data center migration to states with abundant power and lower local resistance. Large AI campuses must engage earlier in electricity pricing, water rights, and community negotiations.
AI data center siting is now constrained by local government and resident acceptance, shifting deployment to regions with lower social resistance and abundant power.