The simple answer is no. I encourage investors to ignore all the fear-mongering headlines claiming that nearly half of the data centers planned for 2026 have been delayed or canceled.
For quick background, New York became the first state to institute a statewide moratorium on large data centers, which made many investors worried. This restricts the construction and permits for hyperscale data centers that consume 50+ megawatts of power. The moratorium is in effect for one year.
The one-year moratorium was enacted to give New York the time to refine its regulations. New York Governor Kathy Hochul wants all new data centers to be subject to the same “consistent standards.”
The state plans to review and research the environmental impact of data center construction and operation – and once standards are agreed upon, the moratorium will end.
Upstate New York is ideal for data centers, given cheap hydroelectric power and a direct-current grid from Hydro-Québec. So, I suspect construction will resume once these standards are set.
The data center boom persists
In the meantime, investors need to remember that the data center boom continues relatively unabated. Yes, there are some delays related to shortages of natural gas fuel cells and turbines, as well as the acute memory shortage. And there has been pushback from communities across the U.S.
However, the number of data centers in the U.S. is still set to nearly double.
Related: Louis Navellier sets eye-opening Nvidia stock price target for rest of this year
According to Stanford University’s AI Index Report, there were 5,427 data centers in the U.S. at the end of 2025. There are plans to add 3,969 new data centers – 802 of which are currently under construction. Data center construction rose 7% in June to $68.3 billion, which represented a 46% year-over-year increase.
By my calculations, the order backlog for data centers will persist through 2029 to 2030.
Stay invested in strategic stocks
The data center boom will persist for the foreseeable future – and the best way to profit from it is to stay invested in strategic AI- and data center-related stocks.
EMCOR Group, Inc. (EME)
EMCOR surged about 20% after the company crushed analysts’ expectations for its second quarter and increased its outlook.
EMCOR designs and installs critical power distribution, high-tech cooling, and backup systems needed to keep hyperscale and AI facilities running.
Looking ahead, EMCOR Group now expects full-year 2026 revenue between $20 billion and $20.5 billion and earnings per share between $32 and $33.25. That compares to prior guidance for revenue between $18.5 billion and $19.25 billion and earnings per share between $28.25 and $29.75.
My stock grading system rates Emcor Group as a B.
Comfort Systems U.S.A, Inc. (FIX)
Comfort Systems (FIX) designs, prefabricates, and installs heavy-duty HVAC, piping, and modular cooling systems for data centers.
The company reported that its backlog jumped to $14.06 billion in the second quarter, up from $12.45 billion in the first quarter and $8.12 billion in the second quarter of 2025. Management noted that “strong ongoing demand with our capabilities and reputation” led to a year-over-year increase in its backlog.
Looking forward, Comfort Systems remains confident that demand for its solutions will remain robust.
My stock grading system rates Comfort Systems as an A.
Quanta Services, Inc. (PWR)
Quanta Services, Inc. (PWR) rallied out of the gates on Thursday following its better-than-expected quarterly earnings announcement. The company noted that it reached a record backlog of $53.4 billion in the second quarter.
Quanta upgrades transmission lines and substations so utilities can deliver power needed by data centers. It also builds and installs mission-critical electrical and communication systems directly tied to them.
For fiscal year 2026, Quanta Services now expects total revenue between $39.3 billion and $39.7 billion and adjusted earnings per share between $16.45 and $16.95. That outlook is nicely higher than analysts’ current projections for full-year revenue of $35.01 billion and adjusted earnings of $14.02 per share.
My stock grading system rates Quanta Services as an A.
For more information about my stock grading system, click here.
Related: AI data centers are facing growing political backlash, data shows
