Energy is playing a starring role in this year’s most hyped midterm races, particularly for Congressional seats and governors’ offices. But contests further down the ballot can have more direct impacts on rising bills, the grid buildout, and data center expansion.
Here are the low-profile races we’re watching this year—and why they deserve more attention:
Public utility commissions: These regulators can shape utility rates, influence infrastructure planning, and nix service contracts with data centers. Voters in 10 states have the chance to elect these officials—and on Nov. 3, commissions in nine states have seats up for grabs. All have Republican majorities…but that could soon change as ratepayers voice frustration with the status quo. For example, the upcoming Georgia PSC race could result in a Democratic stronghold that gets tougher on utility budgets and data center expansion.
State legislatures: This midterms, rising data center opposition could decide state races with some of the country’s largest pipelines, such as Indiana and Ohio. “Any legislative candidate who has a data center planned in their district will have to be ready to answer for it,” said Mike Beehler, former VP at Burns & McDonnell.
State officials can also encourage—or hobble—energy development. Last month, researchers highlighted nearly 900 state laws and local ordinances across 48 states restricting renewables. That’s why Illinois and Michigan enacted laws in 2023 aiming to skirt community opposition to wind and solar.
Municipal governments: Federal lawmakers drive the data center and generation conversations, but it’s the local officials who control the zoning and codes that dictate what actually gets built. They can even require data centers to use certain types of generation; Birmingham, Alabama, for example, orders data centers to rely on solar or fuel cells for primary onsite power.
The bottom line: The contests with the biggest sway over the US energy landscape tend to receive less fanfare, so energy-minded voters will be wise to consider their entire ballot—rather than just the headline races.