data centers

Gallatin's city leaders approved a land annexation, which may lead to more data centers in the area. A councilman indicated that the move could result in an increase in data center developments.

The Pasadena Planning Commission expressed concerns about power and water demands from data centers during a July 8 study session, citing a 10-megawatt facility's potential to consume electricity equivalent to 8,000 households and 40 acre-feet of water annually. A public comment highlighted an Amazon-linked property near Eaton Wash, prompting discussion on zoning definitions for data centers.

The article explains the basics of data centers as construction proposals in Middle Tennessee encounter opposition. FOX 17 News is providing an overview of the topic amid the pushback against these proposals.

Milwaukee officials are exploring municipalization of electric utilities due to rising energy bills and dissatisfaction with We Energies. The city's typical residential energy bill has increased 30% since 2022, with further hikes expected. Challenges include out-of-city power generation, union labor issues under Act 10, and opposition from investor-owned utilities.

Chesapeake's planning commission recommended limits on data center construction locations, with debates over the issue continuing as the City Council prepares to make the final decision.

Michigan GOP candidates for governor were questioned about accepting funds from AI companies to build data centers in the state. The debate focused on their willingness to take money for such infrastructure projects.

The Nashville Zoo and mayor are opposing a data center proposal as the Metro Council advances legislation to regulate future data centers and temporarily halts approval of new projects following public feedback.

Vertiv, a data center infrastructure company, will invest $150 million to expand its Reynosa facility in Tamaulipas, Mexico, creating over 1,000 jobs and boosting the region as a hub for advanced manufacturing. The expansion focuses on manufacturing critical infrastructure for data centers and AI, driven by global demand, with support from local government and coordination with relevant agencies.

Researchers from the Citizens Research Council of Michigan urge a case-by-case evaluation of hyperscale data center projects, highlighting variations in economic impact, job creation, and tax incentives. The report notes that while tax exemptions aim to boost long-term tech industry growth, evidence suggests limited success, and data centers often provide few lasting jobs.

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.