Recent local moratoriums on data center permitting in counties like Benton and Cedar, plus cities such as Springfield and St. Charles, reflect community concerns over power grid strain, water use, and land impacts from AI-driven hyperscale facilities. A September 16, 2026, Capitol rally drew hundreds pushing for statewide guardrails, aligning with Governor Kehoe’s January executive order directing an energy infrastructure review due November 30. No statewide pause has advanced through the legislature, which deferred action to the 2027 session, while developers challenge local restrictions in court. Traders weigh these fragmented local efforts and the pending report against historical patterns of state deference to municipal zoning when assessing enactment odds by key deadlines.