Daily Digest — March 22, 2026
Monterey Park Approves Data Center Moratorium, Eyes Permanent Ban
The Monterey Park, California, City Council unanimously approved a 45-day moratorium on data center development after hundreds of residents packed City Hall to oppose a proposed 250,000-square-foot facility by developer HMC StratCap, according to LAist. The council also committed to drafting an ordinance during the moratorium period that would enact a permanent ban on data centers in the city, pending a future vote.
The project had been moving through the city's planning process for two years before sparking a grassroots campaign called "No Data Center Monterey Park." Nearly 80 residents spoke against the proposal at the council meeting, citing concerns about energy demands, diesel backup generator pollution, and cooling equipment noise. HMC StratCap has indicated it plans to conduct outreach to residents.
Yorkville Lawsuit Over 1,037-Acre Data Center Nears Settlement
A lawsuit filed by Yorkville, Illinois, resident John Bryan against the city over the 1,037-acre Project Cardinal data center is approaching a settlement, according to Shaw Local. During a March 20 hearing at the Kendall County Courthouse, attorneys for all parties — including developer Pioneer Development LLC, which joined the case as a defendant — told Judge Robert Pilmer that "substantial progress" has been made, with only minor issues remaining.
The final settlement agreement is contingent on Yorkville City Council approval. Specific terms and any monetary amounts have not been disclosed. The judge granted a continuance until April 10.
Project Cardinal is planned as a 14-warehouse campus to be built over a decade or more. The City of Yorkville previously approved the necessary annexation, rezoning, and utility/infrastructure agreements. Yorkville has 3,016 acres along the town's ComEd transmission station line off Eldamain Road slated for data center development, including Project Cardinal and the 502-acre Project Steel. City administrator Bart Olson anticipates the property deal for Project Cardinal to close this fall, pending full power allocation from ComEd.
SoftBank, DOE Announce 10-Gigawatt Data Center at Former Ohio Uranium Site
The U.S. Department of Energy announced a public-private partnership to develop a 10-gigawatt data center and matching power generation capacity at the former Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion Plant in Pike County, Ohio, as reported by CBS News, Scioto Post, and NewsBytes. The site is being rebranded as the PORTS Technology Campus.
Key details of the project include:
- 10 GW of data center capacity paired with up to 10 GW of new power generation
- 9.2 GW from natural gas, with additional on-site and grid-connected sources
- $4.2 billion in grid upgrades by SoftBank affiliate SB Energy and AEP Ohio
- $33.3 billion in Japanese funding allocated for natural gas infrastructure
- Companies state customer electricity rates will not increase
SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son characterized the project as a $500 billion investment that would be the largest construction project in U.S. history, according to NewsBytes. The initiative is linked to the U.S.-Japan Strategic Trade and Investment Agreement and the broader "Stargate" AI infrastructure initiative.
Energy Secretary Chris Wright, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum attended the announcement. Construction is expected to begin later this year.
The project faces opposition: a group of rural Ohio residents recently filed a petition for a statewide constitutional amendment to ban large-scale data centers, citing environmental and energy concerns, according to CBS News.
Festus, Missouri, Reaches Framework Agreement for $6 Billion Data Center
The city of Festus, Missouri, has reached a framework development agreement with CRG for a $6 billion data center project, according to reports from KSDK News, First Alert 4, and FOX 2. The facility would be located off Highway 67 and CC and is described as one of the largest private investments in Jefferson County history.
Terms of the framework agreement include:
- CRG covers all water, sewer, and street improvement costs
- $45 million in community benefit payments to Festus over a decade
- $5 million designated for a new firehouse
- A voluntary buyout program for residents near the proposed site
- No property tax abatement requested by CRG
- No cap on the city's utility tax
Mayor Sam Richards stated the data center would adhere to all city ordinances and state and federal regulations, according to First Alert 4. The agreement has faced months of resident opposition over concerns about noise, lighting, water usage, and electrical consumption.
A public comment session is scheduled for Monday, March 23, at Festus High School, with a city council vote on the agreement set for a special meeting on March 30.
Underwater AI Data Center Proposed Off Maine Coast
A developer has filed a preliminary permit application with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to study an underwater AI data center project near Eastport, Maine, according to The Portland Press Herald. The project, proposed by DeepGreen Western Passage SPV, LLC — a company led by Needham, Massachusetts-based realtor Chris Wolfson — would be powered by tidal energy from the Bay of Fundy and cooled by seawater.
The preliminary permit requests approval to study a 400-acre site over four years. The project is still years from potential construction.
The proposal has raised concerns from the Passamaquoddy community at Sipayik, which fears potential threats to tribal fishing access, cultural heritage, and the natural environment. Local fishermen have also expressed opposition. Wolfson has stated he has no interest in proceeding without community support. Experts quoted by the Press Herald questioned the project's feasibility, particularly regarding tidal power fluctuations and underwater maintenance challenges.
The project also faces a complex state regulatory environment. Maine lawmakers are currently considering a bill that would temporarily prohibit state and local agencies from issuing new data center permits pending review by a proposed Data Center Coordination Council.
