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US Midterm Elections: Democrats capture Congress as voters back climate, energy affordability measures – EnviroNews
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Democrats have won control of both chambers of the United States Congress in the November 3 midterm elections, in a major setback for President Donald Trump and the Republican Party, as voters also backed measures to restrict data centre expansion in communities across the country.
The outcome has been welcomed by climate advocacy group 350 Action, which said the results reflected growing public demand for political leadership focused on affordable energy, economic security and environmental protection.
According to election results reported on Wednesday,, November 4, 2026, Democrats gained at least seven Senate seats and more than two dozen House districts, taking control of both chambers for the first time since the Republicans secured majorities in the 2024 elections.
The results will enable Democrats to block parts of Trump’s legislative agenda, scrutinise his administration and exercise greater influence over federal policy during the remaining two years of his presidency.
The elections also recorded significant opposition to the expansion of energy- and water-intensive data centres, particularly facilities supporting artificial intelligence.
In local ballot votes across the country, 33 of 45 measures seeking to restrict data centre development had either been approved or were leading in the vote count by Wednesday morning. The measures included proposed bans, temporary moratoriums, limits on electricity consumption and requirements for voter approval before construction.
Ahead of the elections, 51 candidates from across the political spectrum signed 350 Action’s Energy Affordability Candidate Pledge, committing to address the cost of energy and related concerns.
The group said voters’ support for local restrictions on data centres, alongside the election of candidates who had signed the pledge, demonstrated that affordable energy had become a defining issue for communities and political contestants.
The results come amid rising concerns over household electricity and fuel bills, the cost of climate-related disasters and the growing influence of large technology and fossil fuel companies on public policy.
The election outcome also comes against the background of the Trump administration’s reversal of several climate policies and the Republican Party’s support for expanding fossil fuel production.
On January 20, 2025, Trump signed an executive order directing the United States to withdraw from the Paris Agreement and revoke financial commitments under the United Nations climate framework.
His administration also moved to dismantle climate-related regulations, including the February 2026 repeal of the Environmental Protection Agency’s 2009 greenhouse gas endangerment finding, which had provided the legal basis for regulating greenhouse gas emissions under the Clean Air Act.
In September 2026, the EPA announced the repeal of most of the previous administration’s greenhouse gas requirements for power plants and proposed removing the remaining standards.
The Republican Party’s 2024 platform also pledged to increase energy production from oil, natural gas and coal, end restrictions on fossil fuel development and cancel what it described as the electric vehicle mandate. The party presented these measures as part of its strategy to promote energy independence and reduce costs for American households.
Against this policy background, 350 Action said the election results showed that climate action was closely connected to economic security and democratic accountability.
Candice Fortin, Campaigns Manager at 350 Action, said the results showed that Americans wanted political leaders who would stand up for their communities rather than protect the interests of technology companies and fossil fuel businesses.
“Across the country, people are struggling with the cost of living, rising energy bills and the impacts of a climate crisis they did little to create. They want leaders who will make their lives better, deliver affordable clean energy and hold polluters accountable,” Fortin said.
She added that winning elections was only the beginning, urging elected candidates to translate their campaign commitments into concrete policies, challenge the influence of fossil fuel and technology industries and deliver the changes demanded by communities.
350 Action called on the newly elected representatives to introduce moratoriums on data centres that threaten land and water resources, worsen climate pollution and increase electricity costs.
It also urged them to prevent utility disconnections, tax excess profits made by oil, gas and artificial intelligence companies, and accelerate access to cheaper and healthier electricity sources, particularly solar and wind power.
The group said the incoming lawmakers should prioritise policies that protect households from rising energy costs while ensuring that the country’s energy transition delivers environmental and economic benefits to communities.