Data centers

Rolls-Royce is expanding its Mankato facility with a $24 million investment to double production of backup power systems for data centers, creating over 100 jobs. The new 250,000-square-foot facility will also supply generators for hospitals and airports.

Chinese companies are shifting from Nvidia's AI accelerators to domestic alternatives amid US-China tensions, with 46% of future budgets allocated to local products. Tencent, Alibaba, and Huawei are leading this transition, supported by a 2 trillion yuan government initiative to build AI-driven data centers using domestic technologies.

Oregon's electricity rates for data centers increased by 30% starting today under the POWER Act, while other customers receive discounts. The Oregon Public Utility Commission approved the new rates, impacting 963,000 customers.

Pasadena’s Planning Commission will hold an informational study session on data centers, which are not currently permitted under the city’s Zoning Code due to a lack of definition. Acting Planning Director Jason Mikaelian recommends adding a clear land use definition for data centers even if they remain unpermitted.

Minnesota's Legislature remains closely divided, with key races in competitive districts like District 3 potentially determining control. The Senate race in District 3 pits Grant Hauschild against Andrea Zupancich, while the House race in 3B features Natalie Zeleznikar and Aaron Schweiger. Issues like data centers, Medicaid, and gun regulation are central to these contests.

Nashville's Metro Council meeting addressed proposed data center restrictions and a potential moratorium, with hundreds of attendees speaking during a seven-hour session. The discussion focused on community input regarding data center developments in the city.

Data center developers in Pennsylvania plan to use seven new natural gas-fired power plants, which would emit 68 million tons of carbon dioxide equivalent annually, equivalent to 14 million cars. The report highlights a 24% increase in Pennsylvania's emissions and warns of a national surge in greenhouse gas emissions driven by AI-related data center demand.

Hundreds of Nashville residents attended public hearings opposing proposed data centers near the Nashville Zoo and Fisk University, citing environmental and health concerns. Mayor Freddie O'Connell disputed developer DC Blox's claims as 'inaccurate' and introduced legislation to acquire the zoo-adjacent land via eminent domain.

A report by Think Tennessee reveals that data centers in Tennessee are increasing electricity demand, leading to higher utility bills for residents.

Georgia utility regulators approved an investigation into whether industrial energy consumers, including data centers, are shifting costs to residential customers. The probe, part of a May agreement adjusting cost-passing rules, examines a pricing structure that could raise residential electricity costs by 11% monthly by 2028. Environmental advocates supported the move, while Georgia Power opposed expanding the investigation's scope.

A report by Think Tennessee found that Tennesseans living near data centers experienced a 3.2% average increase in electricity bills between 2023 and 2024, outpacing the statewide average of 1.3%. Data centers, which consumed 9.2 million megawatts in the Tennessee Valley region in 2025, are linked to higher residential electricity costs and grid strain, sparking local debates and proposed zoning regulations.

China is using AI tools, including American ones like ChatGPT, to launch covert propaganda campaigns against U.S. AI infrastructure development. OpenAI identified a campaign where Chinese-linked users generated polarizing content about data centers, aiming to slow construction and tip the global AI race in China's favor. The article highlights China's broader use of AI for surveillance, repression, and targeted propaganda to advance its geopolitical interests.

Broomfield City Council will vote on an 18-month moratorium on new data centers with at least 10 megawatts of power demand. The pause aims to study electricity demand, water use, infrastructure, and neighborhood impacts before new developments are approved. Existing facilities, including the 20-megawatt Chase data center, would not be affected.

A Think Tennessee report reveals that Tennessee residents near data centers experienced a 3.2% average increase in electricity bills between 2023 and 2024, while commercial consumers saw a 0.2% decrease. The report highlights growing electricity consumption by data centers and public concerns over grid strain, with proposed zoning regulations and a moratorium set for public hearings.

Eagan Capital is suing Eagan over the city's data center moratorium, claiming it infringes on the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission's regulatory authority. Other cities like Inver Grove Heights have also imposed similar moratoriums on energy-intensive data centers. Unrelated developments include a hospice workers' strike, a lawsuit by former EPA biologists, and a new bank branch aimed at reducing racial wealth disparities.

Virginia has become the world’s data center capital due to decades of infrastructure development and strategic growth, starting with AOL’s 1997 move to Ashburn. The region’s economic benefits are offset by community concerns over water and energy demands, while lawmakers address new regulatory challenges.

The article discusses how modern conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East highlight the growing importance of digital infrastructure as part of the battlespace. It emphasizes that data centers and cloud regions, now critical to military and economic power, face vulnerabilities from long-range weapons, drones, and cyberattacks, necessitating a shift in strategic depth from geographical to digital resilience.

President Donald Trump expressed surprise at the energy demands of artificial intelligence and announced his administration is accelerating approvals for energy facilities to power data centers. Over 70 gas-fired power plants are planned to privately serve these data centers across the U.S.

The article highlights the energy economy's significant waste problem, noting that up to half of all energy is lost as heat globally. It emphasizes the potential of untapped waste heat, equivalent to three-quarters of U.S. annual electricity consumption, and discusses how AI-driven data centers are increasing energy demand while legacy systems waste energy on non-compute tasks.

Illinois Democrats are debating the use of AI in their work and personal lives, with some representatives like Bill Foster using it to draft legislation while others like Delia Ramirez avoid it due to privacy and societal risks. State lawmakers passed legislation requiring AI companies to address severe risks through annual plans and third-party audits, pending Governor JB Pritzker’s signature. Federal and state actions, including President Donald Trump’s executive order on AI model reviews, highlight growing regulatory efforts.

Virginia has become the world’s largest data center hub due to infrastructure development starting in the late 20th century, driven by companies like AOL and fiber connectivity. While the industry brings economic benefits, it faces challenges related to water and energy demands, prompting new regulations and unresolved tax incentive debates.

The article discusses the limited research on health impacts of data centers, highlighting Virginia's high concentration of facilities and a study by Neha Gour and colleagues that identifies environmental and health challenges. It notes recommendations for sustainable design and operations to mitigate risks, while emphasizing the essential role of data centers in modern services.

Detroit's City Planning Commission is drafting regulations for data center developments, led by City Councilman Scott Benson's working group aiming for a December approval. The group is assessing existing data centers and considering limits based on current facilities, with a focus on avoiding hyperscale data centers.

Residents of Hazle Township, Pennsylvania, oppose a proposed 15-building data center complex on a coal-rich plateau, prompting the township to vote for an 180-day pause on data center applications. State legislators introduced a bill to block data center development for three years, reflecting broader resistance to such projects due to environmental and health concerns, particularly in areas with a history of industrial pollution.

Duke Energy in North Carolina faces pressure from clean energy and consumer advocates to implement special rules and pricing for data centers, aligning with a national trend. The utility company argues such measures are unnecessary, claiming data centers will not overwhelm the grid.

Proposals to build six data centers in Archbald, Pennsylvania, have united strangers to protest the plans in the community and across the state. The initiative has sparked local opposition, bringing together individuals who otherwise would not interact.

Tennessee is experiencing a growing debate over data centers, as mentioned in the title. The article notes that referring to 'data center' now provokes reactions, highlighting the contentious nature of the issue.

Gov. Greg Abbott proposed banning new data center development in rural Texas neighborhoods during his campaign for a fourth term. The measure is part of broader reforms he announced earlier this month.

Charlotte Mayor Rob Harrington addresses key issues including American Airlines' lease, data centers, and Interstate 77's future, emphasizing stakeholder collaboration. He will discuss his approach on a TV segment, The Political Beat.

Data centers can increase the average temperature of nearby neighborhoods by 1-2 degrees, according to research. This effect is observed in local areas surrounding these facilities.

Blackstone is investing heavily in AI with over $150 billion in data center bets and plans to create an 'AI McKinsey' for economic transformation. Sophia Oguri, an applied AI engineer at Blackstone, works with private equity and infrastructure teams to prototype AI tools, requiring frequent meetings to align business needs with technical solutions.

Data centers in the United States consume more electricity than in any other country, including China. In 2025, nearly 40% of global data center power demand originated from U.S.-based facilities, according to the Statistical Review of World Energy.

Organized crime is exploiting AI hardware supply chains through cargo theft, driven by soaring demand for data center infrastructure. Stolen equipment, including servers and copper wires, is resold on foreign black markets, with recent recoveries totaling $1.3 million in Illinois. Cargo theft involving electronics has surged, with AI-related components becoming prime targets due to their high value and ease of resale.

AI factories are reshaping the power equipment market by creating distinct winners and losers. Current data center operations rely on alternating current converted to direct current for chip functionality.

Three Republican candidates debated gubernatorial policies, focusing on affordability, data center regulations, and opposition to DEI. They clashed over state versus local control of data centers and policy approaches.

A state senator plans to challenge San Marcos' data center ban, arguing the city lacks legal authority to enact it. San Marcos became the first Texas city to ban data centers citywide less than a month ago.

A heat wave in the US is straining the energy grid, with record electricity demand and a risk of blackouts. The US energy department ordered data centers to use backup generators, while Europe's grid also faced strain from high temperatures and reduced power plant output.

Chester County in South Carolina is considering a six-month moratorium on data centers to evaluate their potential economic benefits, including significant revenue from property taxes and equipment value. County officials highlight that a medium-sized data center could generate $30–$40 million annually, nearly doubling the county's budget and potentially reducing taxes. Regulations on data center operations, such as buffers and decibels, have already been established.

The U.S. power grid faces reliability challenges this summer due to extreme heat, rising demand from data centers and AI, variable renewable energy sources, and regional weather risks like droughts and wildfires. Grid operators are implementing emergency measures to manage stress but warn of potential localized outages or price spikes during extreme conditions.

A new report found that seven planned gas-fired power plants in Pennsylvania to fuel data centers would emit climate-warming gases equivalent to 14 million cars annually. Data center developers claim they are investing in clean technology.