Daily Digest — May 17, 2026
DeKalb County Email Reveals Proposed Data Center Approval Deal
An email exchange between DeKalb County Commissioner Nicole Massiah and developer Ryan Millsap has surfaced showing a draft agreement that would have guaranteed full county approval for a two-story data center at 2235 Bouldercrest Road, according to Decaturish. The proposed memorandum of understanding, sent by Millsap's company Blackhall Real Estate Phase II, LLC in August 2025, offered to place $2.5 million in escrow for Intrenchment Creek Park improvements — contingent on the data center receiving all necessary permits and beginning construction — in exchange for the county releasing Blackhall from all obligations tied to a 2021 land swap.
Commissioner Massiah has not publicly responded to the email but has emphasized the need for data center regulations. DeKalb County's efforts to adopt zoning regulations for data centers have been under consideration for 10 months and repeatedly deferred by the County Commission. The county enacted a moratorium on data center applications in July 2025, which has been extended twice — most recently through June 23, 2026. A separate special land use permit application from PCC-DeKalb for a 2-million-square-foot data center in Ellenwood has been deferred three times.
Adirondack Towns Pass Battery Storage Moratoriums as Data Center Concerns Surface
Several towns across New York's Adirondack Park are enacting moratoriums on battery energy storage systems amid public opposition and environmental concerns, as reported by the Adirondack Explorer. A New York State Supreme Court judge in Fulton County has issued a temporary restraining order against Carson Power's utility-sized battery storage system in Northampton, following a lawsuit citing concerns about battery fires, public health, and environmental impacts.
Towns including Crown Point (Essex County) and Chester (Warren County) have recently passed one-year moratoriums on battery storage facilities, joining Northampton and St. Armand. A pre-application from Alternative Green Investment Florida for a battery storage system in Dresden, Washington County, also included a map labeled "data center," raising alarm among local officials. Dresden officials Marilyn Bordman and Allen Wilbur cited environmental impact, water usage, and pollution concerns. The Adirondack Park Agency stated the pre-application covers only the battery facility and said it will evaluate any future data center proposals based on facts and applicable laws.
Utah House Speaker Opposes Box Elder County Hyperscale Data Center
Utah House Speaker Mike Schultz (R-Hooper) has publicly voiced personal opposition to a proposed hyperscale data center project in Box Elder County, according to The Salt Lake Tribune. Schultz, who is also a rancher in the area, stated at a press conference: "I feel like all the other ranchers in the area: I don't love it."
Separately, a Park Record opinion column by Park City lawyer Tom Clyde criticized the approval process for the Box Elder County project, alleging the Military Installation Development Authority (MIDA) expedited the data center with insufficient public discussion or environmental review. Clyde noted that the Utah Legislature altered water rights laws to remove public benefit as a consideration for industrial water use, which he argued reduces transparency and public involvement in such projects.
Hillsboro Residents Rally Against Data Centers; City Anticipates Application Pause
Residents in Hillsboro, Oregon, rallied on May 16 to protest data center development in Washington County, with speakers citing concerns over electricity bills, water usage, and environmental impacts, according to coverage from KGW, KATU, Local 3 News, and KGW News. The Portland Democratic Socialists of America co-organized the event, which drew criticism of political leaders and calls for an immediate moratorium on data center construction and economic incentives.
Key points from the coverage:
- 18 data centers are already operational or under construction in Hillsboro
- Oregon state leaders passed a one-year moratorium on data center tax breaks, effective June 6, after which Hillsboro received 17 applications
- Protestors criticized the city's extension of data center tax breaks through 2051
- Oregon Senate District 15 challenger Myrna Munoz criticized local leadership for allowing tax breaks, while incumbent Sen. Janeen Sollman cited her commitment to the POWER Act to hold data centers accountable
Hillsboro Communications Manager Patrick Preston indicated the city anticipates a de facto pause in new data center applications after May 7, 2026, ahead of a June 6 moratorium date. Mayor Pace confirmed staff are exploring options including outright refusal of application approvals and evaluating legal obligations for the Enterprise Zone program. The Hillsboro City Council is scheduled to hold a work session on data centers on June 2.
