Daily Digest — April 21, 2026
Indianapolis Residents Sue to Block $4B Sabey Data Center
Decatur Township residents have filed a lawsuit in Marion County Superior Court seeking to overturn the Metropolitan Development Commission's approval of a $4 billion, 130-acre data center campus proposed by Seattle-based Sabey Corp., according to WFYI. The project, planned near Kentucky Avenue and Camby Road on the southwest side of Marion County, was approved in March.
The lawsuit argues the commission violated state law by approving variances that amount to a "disguised rezoning," bypassing a required vote by the full Indianapolis City-County Council. Residents cite concerns over noise, energy and water consumption, limited permanent job creation, and declining property values. Pat Andrews, chair of the Decatur Township Civic Council's Land Use Committee, warned the approach could set a precedent, pointing to a separate variance request by Georgia-based DC Blox for a $2 billion data center on the city's east side, as WTHR also reported.
Andrews has called on Mayor Joe Hogsett and city leadership to establish a specific zoning classification for data centers. Sabey has stated it collaborated with the community and secured support from groups including Central Indiana Building Trades, Central Midwest Carpenters Unions, the Indy Chamber, and utility provider AES Indiana.
Charlotte Council Weighs Data Center Ban as East Charlotte Project Delayed
The Charlotte City Council is considering a potential total ban on data center developments after an American Tower Corporation project in East Charlotte was delayed, according to the Charlotte Observer. Thousands of residents have submitted a petition opposing the rezoning request, citing concerns about water strain and a lack of community engagement by the developer, as reported by WCCB Charlotte.
Protesters have urged city leaders to halt the proposal, with community groups saying their public pressure campaigns are producing results, according to Queen City News. A Charlotte City Council member is separately advocating for new regulations governing water and electricity usage for future data center developments, per Queen City News. Another council member has stated the city needs to address "real concerns" about data centers, as reported by the Charlotte Observer.
Thousands oppose a data center in residential East Charlotte
WCCB Charlotte
East Charlotte data center delayed. Could city council consider a total ban?
Charlotte Observer
City Council member: Charlotte needs to answer real concerns about data centers
Charlotte Observer
Protesters urge city to halt east Charlotte data center proposal
Queen City News
Charlotte council member pushes for water, power regulations for future data center developments
Queen City News
Fayetteville and Cumberland County Move Toward Data Center Moratoriums
The Fayetteville City Council voted on April 15 to pause a proposed $6.4 billion data center ordinance for 90 days to study environmental and infrastructure impacts, according to foxy99.com. The project would span 50 acres along Dunn Road. Mayor Mitch Colvin emphasized the need for responsible development that balances technology with community protection.
Separately, Cumberland County Commissioners voted 6-0 to schedule a public hearing on a potential data center construction moratorium for May 18, as reported by CityView NC. A vote on the moratorium could follow the hearing. The commissioners also unanimously directed the Cumberland County Joint Planning Board to collaborate with Fayetteville on developing comprehensive data center regulations. County Attorney Rick Moorefield confirmed that state law requires public notification and a hearing before any moratorium can take effect.
Wisconsin Communities Assert Local Control Over Data Center Development
Port Washington, Wisconsin, passed what is described as the nation's first anti-data center referendum on April 7, requiring voter approval for any future data center project seeking more than $10 million in tax incentives, according to the Marquette Wire. The measure passed with approximately 66% of the vote. It does not affect the 672-acre "Lighthouse" campus currently under construction by Vantage Data Centers in partnership with OpenAI and Oracle.
An opinion piece in The Cap Times notes broader Wisconsin trends, including the collapse of a proposed $12 billion QTS Data Centers project in DeForest after local opposition, and a lawsuit by Midwest Environmental Advocates against the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin over withheld energy demand records for a Beaver Dam data center. The piece also references a proposed national moratorium on data centers from U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
Judge Clears Path for Amazon Data Center in Shreveport
Caddo Parish Judge Ramon Lafitte ruled in favor of Amazon's special use permit for a multi-billion dollar data center in west Shreveport, dismissing litigation from three plaintiffs who challenged the Shreveport City Council's approval, according to The Center Square. The judge found the council's decision was not arbitrary or capricious.
The ruling clears the way for what would be Amazon's third data center campus in north Louisiana, with the project at Resilient Technology Park potentially representing nearly $6 billion in investment. The plaintiffs, represented by attorney Clay Garside and supported by the Sierra Club Delta Chapter, are considering an appeal.
