Local moratoriums and zoning restrictions in Missouri cities like Springfield, Wentzville, and Independence reflect community pushback against large-scale AI data centers, driven by concerns over electricity and water consumption, noise, and grid strain from hyperscale facilities exceeding 5 megawatts. Recent city council actions, including Springfield’s proposed extension of its pause to February 2027 and Independence’s 1,000-foot setbacks after the Nebius project, highlight regulatory responses to developer interest, yet no statewide bill advanced in the 2026 legislative session that ended in May. With Republican control of the legislature and limited hearings, trader sentiment for a statewide moratorium remains low, though upcoming local votes and potential 2027 sessions could signal broader policy shifts amid rising AI infrastructure demands.