Daily Digest — March 23, 2026
Sangamon County Board Votes Today on CyrusOne Data Center Permit
The Sangamon County Board in Illinois is scheduled to vote today on a conditional use permit for CyrusOne's proposed $500 million data center, according to The Daily Yonder. The 280-acre project on agricultural land would house a 600-megawatt hyperscale facility consisting of four 250,000-square-foot buildings. The Coalition for Springfield's Utility Future has opposed the project, citing concerns over electricity costs, noise, water use, and potential job displacement from AI workloads.
As reported by NPR Illinois, coalition member Don Hanrahan urged the board to enact a short moratorium, arguing that CyrusOne — owned by BlackRock — has not provided sufficient information about the facility's intended use or customers. He questioned whether the board should approve the permit based solely on technical zoning compliance without weighing health and welfare impacts. The Zoning and Land Use Commission rejected a county-wide moratorium request in February 2026.
At the state level, Illinois lawmakers are debating the POWER Act, which would require data center developers to provide their own clean energy generation and prevent infrastructure costs from burdening consumers. Governor JB Pritzker announced a two-year moratorium on tax incentives for data centers in February.
Applied Digital Invests $75M in North Dakota Power Upgrades; Two Counties Enact Moratoriums
Applied Digital is investing $75 million in an electrical substation and high-voltage powerline near Fargo, North Dakota, to support its $3 billion Polaris Forge II AI data center in Harwood, according to KFGO. The facility will require approximately 280 megawatts and is expected to be fully operational by early 2027 with around 200 employees. A Public Service Commission hearing on the power project is scheduled for April 2 in Fargo.
The company's exploration of expansion into western North Dakota has prompted regulatory responses:
- Oliver County enacted a 180-day moratorium on data centers after an Applied Digital informational meeting in Center
- Mercer County passed a one-year moratorium earlier this month, where Basin Electric and NextEra have proposed a data center
- A public meeting for Basin Electric's River Run Energy Center is set for March 30 in Stanton
Minnkota Power Cooperative, which will own and operate the new transmission infrastructure, noted that Applied Digital's investment helps fund grid upgrades that would otherwise fall to existing customers. Cass County Electric Cooperative expects the Harwood facility to nearly double its peak demand but states existing customer rates will not increase.
Michigan Industry Coalition Launches as Moratoriums Spread Across Townships
A new coalition called Michigan for Responsible Data Centers has been formed by the Michigan Chamber of Commerce, Detroit Regional Chamber, DTE Energy, Consumers Energy, and several trade unions, according to Planet Detroit. The group aims to provide "fact-based resources" to communities as Google, Oracle, and Microsoft pursue facilities across the state.
Multiple Michigan townships are actively pursuing or have enacted moratoriums on data center development:
- Northville City Council approved a one-year moratorium in January
- Dundee Township extended its moratorium in January
- Erie Township adopted a limited moratorium in February
- Frenchtown Township's Planning Commission is reviewing a proposed moratorium
- Rural townships near Lansing — Oneida, Eagle, and Vevay — are racing to enact moratoriums
- Norvell Township's Planning Commission recommended a zoning amendment allowing temporary moratoriums
Democratic gubernatorial frontrunner Jocelyn Benson has proposed mandatory public hearings, environmental protections, developer coverage of increased energy costs, and union labor agreements for data center projects, as reported by Detroit Metro Times. State Attorney General Dana Nessel has vowed to pursue transparency and protect ratepayers. A proposed $7 billion data center in Saline Township, Washtenaw County, which could consume as much electricity as nearly a million homes, has become a key flashpoint. Microsoft is also advancing plans in Gaines Township, with a rezoning request to be heard on April 15.
West Virginia: $4B Berkeley County Project Draws 300+ to Town Hall; Davis Mayor Testifies Before Congress
West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey announced a $4 billion data center to be built in Bedington, Berkeley County, by developer Penzance on a 500+ acre campus, according to The Real WV. A town hall meeting drew over 300 residents who voiced concerns about water usage during an ongoing drought, light and noise pollution, and the implications of HB 2014, the "Power Generation and Consumption Act of 2025." That legislation removed local zoning oversight for data centers that establish certified microgrid programs, centralizing control at the state level. Some residents discussed the possibility of Eastern Panhandle counties seceding from West Virginia.
Separately, Davis Mayor Al Tomson testified before the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Environment about a proposed 1,600-megawatt natural gas power plant near his town, as reported by Mountaineer Journal. The Ridgeline Power Plant, proposed by Virginia-based Fundamental Data, would support a data center spanning up to 10,000 acres located just a few thousand feet from downtown Davis. Tomson criticized potential federal legislation that could classify such projects as "nationally significant infrastructure," bypassing federal environmental reviews and local input.
AVAIO Digital's $3B Appomattox County Project Faces Community Pushback
AVAIO Digital's planned $3 billion hyperscale data center campus on 452 acres in Appomattox County, Virginia, has generated considerable community opposition, according to WSET. The project, known as "Project Hercules" at 267 Industrial Park Ln, was announced in December 2024. Residents have criticized what they describe as a lack of transparency and community engagement from county leaders and the developer.
The Economic Development Authority has scheduled a public information session with AVAIO representatives for today at 5 p.m. Community members will not be able to ask questions during the meeting but will receive written responses afterward. Residents have raised concerns about light and noise pollution and water usage. EDA chairman Bosiger has cited potential job creation and tax revenues over 20 years in support of the project.
