Daily Digest — May 21, 2026
Wrightstown, Wisconsin Weighs Moratorium and Referendum on Data Center Development
Residents in Wrightstown, Wisconsin, are pushing back against a potential hyperscale data center project by Cloverleaf Infrastructure, despite no formal proposal having been submitted to the village. According to WLUK-TV FOX 11, community members have voiced concerns over noise, water usage, power consumption, and the loss of farmland during public listening sessions, with some calling for a moratorium on data center development.
As reported by WBAY, the Wrightstown Village Board is now considering placing a referendum question on the August primary ballot to gauge public opinion on data center development. Village officials are also exploring enacting a moratorium. Village Board President Dean Erickson stated that no official proposal is before the board, but assured residents their feedback would be considered.
Emails obtained through an open records request, as detailed by Urban Milwaukee, reveal significant preliminary engagement between Village Administrator Travis Coenen and Cloverleaf representatives since January 2026. Cloverleaf's Chief Development Officer Aaron Bilyeu and Project Development Manager Travis Armistead have been exploring sites in northeast Wisconsin, using agreements from a Port Washington project as a template. Village Board Trustee Sue Byers indicated the village intends to research tightening local ordinances to regulate data centers. NBC 26 also confirmed the moratorium is under active consideration.
Jackson, Mississippi Tables Data Center Moratorium; Rezoning Hearing Set for May 27
The Jackson City Council voted 4-2 to table a proposed 183-day moratorium on new data center development, according to The Clarion-Ledger. The moratorium, introduced by Council President Brian Grizzell, was prompted by Southaven residents who warned of noise and vibration issues from Elon Musk's xAI facility in their area. The city attorney's office advised that the ordinance could violate state zoning law due to its impact on land use and private property rights, requiring additional public hearing and notice processes.
- Councilman Grizzell defended the moratorium as a "cooling period" to prevent projects from being sited in predominantly Black neighborhoods without adequate oversight
- Attorney Robert Ireland, representing an undisclosed client, warned a moratorium could cost the city millions in tax revenue
- The ordinance is expected to be revisited at a future meeting
Meanwhile, as reported by WLBT, Saxum Investment Company LLC is seeking to rezone a 190-acre property on Forest Avenue from residential, commercial, and light industrial to I-2 Industrial for a data center. A Planning Board hearing is scheduled for May 27. Ward Two Councilwoman Tina Clay noted that the rezoning application does not explicitly mention "data center." If the Planning Board approves the rezoning, it would proceed to the City Council for a final vote in June or July.
Here’s what happened when the Jackson council debated pausing data centers
The Clarion-Ledger
Company seeking to rezone Forest Avenue property for Jackson data center
WLBT
See photos as Jackson City Council debates a data center moratorium
The Clarion-Ledger
Jackson City Council delays data center ordinance vote
WJTV 12 News
The Jackson City Council data center moratorium debate explained
The Clarion-Ledger
Little Rock Mayor Proposes Citywide Data Center Regulations; Pulaski County Eyes Moratorium
Little Rock Mayor Frank Scott Jr. has announced plans to implement citywide regulations on data centers, according to the Arkansas Times. The proposal comes as Google, operating through subsidiary Willowbend Capital, advances a hyperscale data center project near the Port of Little Rock on approximately 800 acres that have already been annexed and rezoned. The City Council is scheduled to discuss the proposal on June 2, as reported by THV11.
Separately, the Pulaski County Quorum Court is considering a one-year moratorium on data center construction in unincorporated areas. Justices Rebekah Davis and Tina Ward filed the late ordinance, which could affect projects like AVAIO Digital's upcoming data center near Wrightsville, which is close to securing county approval. Legal opinions differ on whether new regulations would apply to projects already in development but not yet under construction. As reported by KATV and THV11, the mayor acknowledged the city lacks the power to ban data centers outright but believes the proposed framework can effectively regulate their development.
Texas Agriculture Commissioner Calls for Data Center Moratorium; State Water Plan Omits Industry
Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller has called for a temporary moratorium on new data center development, citing concerns about the electric grid, water supplies, and agricultural land, according to the Houston Chronicle. The stance puts Miller at odds with Gov. Greg Abbott, who has actively promoted Texas as an AI hub, and reveals a growing divide among state Republican leaders. Hill County has already enacted a yearlong moratorium, and Sen. Paul Bettencourt has questioned Attorney General Ken Paxton about counties' authority to impose such bans.
As reported by the Temple Daily Telegram, Rep. Hickland has also raised questions about the industry's expansion in the state.
Separately, E&E News by POLITICO reports that Texas's draft 2027 state water plan makes no mention of data center water usage, as the Texas Water Development Board relies on historical data that does not capture the industry's rapid growth. Key details:
- The plan is open for public comment until May 29, with a vote expected in July
- The Texas PUC has launched a voluntary survey for data center developers on their water plans
- Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has directed the Texas Senate to study water demands from "energy-intensive technologies"
- State Sen. Charles Perry plans to propose guardrail bills on data center water usage in the 2027 legislative session
- Florida recently signed legislation prohibiting water management districts from permitting large-scale data centers if water use would harm local resources
UAE Leverages OPEC Exit to Fund AI and Data Center Infrastructure in the U.S.
The United Arab Emirates is directing oil revenue freed by its May 1 OPEC exit toward AI and data center investments, including significant U.S. energy infrastructure, according to Rest of World. Emirati firm G42 is constructing a 5GW campus for OpenAI in the UAE and investing in OpenAI data centers in the U.S. through a partnership with Microsoft. Microsoft has committed $15.2 billion to build data centers in the UAE via G42 subsidiary Khazna.
ADNOC subsidiary XRG is actively pursuing acquisitions in U.S. gas production, pipelines, processing, and export terminals. XRG has secured stakes in a natural gas export terminal in Texas with a 20-year fuel supply agreement. The investments are driven by projections that AI-focused data centers in the U.S. could consume up to 12% of the country's electricity by 2028.
Utah's Stratos Project Approved Despite Opposition; Legislature Launches Impact Study
Box Elder County commissioners have approved the Stratos Project, a 40,000-acre data center backed by Kevin O'Leary and developer West GenCo, according to The Verge. The project is envisioned to consume 9GW of power and cost over $4 billion for its initial phase. A preliminary analysis by Utah State University physicist Robert Davies suggests the facility's thermal load could raise local temperatures by 2 to 12 degrees Fahrenheit. Utah Clean Energy estimates it could increase the state's carbon emissions by 55%.
- Initial plans to draw water from Salt Wells Spring faced nearly 4,000 public objections before being withdrawn
- A new water rights application targets an "unnamed spring in the Hansel Valley"
- Citizens have applied for a referendum to reverse the county's approval
- A protest is planned for May 23 at the Utah State Capitol, according to Cache Valley Daily
As reported by FOX 13 News Utah and Utah Public Radio, the Utah State Legislature's Natural Resources Interim Committee has unanimously approved a study into the statewide impacts of data centers on wildlife, water, and air. Rep. Doug Owens (D-Millcreek) spearheaded the effort and indicated he would propose a bill for mandatory environmental studies on data centers. The Salt Lake Tribune reported on ongoing public comment opportunities as the project proceeds through environmental permitting.
The Box Elder Accountability Referendum group (B.E.A.R.) is working to gather nearly 5,500 voter signatures to place a referendum on the November ballot.
Utah county approves massive data center project despite environmental concerns, public opposition
The Verge
Utah legislature to explore data centers' impacts
FOX 13 News Utah
New Box Elder data center protest slated for May 23 on State Capitol steps in Salt Lake City
Cache Valley Daily
How Utahns can still weigh in on the Box Elder data center project
The Salt Lake Tribune
Lawmakers are opening a study on how data centers impact Utah
Utah Public Radio