Daily Digest — May 27, 2026
Charlotte City Council Hears Overwhelming Support for 150-Day Data Center Moratorium
The Charlotte City Council held a public hearing on a proposed 150-day moratorium on new data center and telecommunications facility development, drawing a packed chamber of residents who predominantly spoke in favor of the pause, according to WCCB Charlotte. The debate centers largely on a proposed 58-acre data center project by American Tower off Hood Road in east Charlotte, near the Reedy Creek Nature Preserve, as reported by WFAE.
Residents and advocacy groups cited concerns over:
- Environmental impacts and proximity to Black and brown neighborhoods
- Electricity costs and water consumption
- Noise pollution and quality of life
- Charlotte's current drought conditions and mandatory water restrictions
Kibri Everett, a Charlotte resident and researcher, described the moratorium as a "reasonable planning tool" that would allow the city to establish clear standards and evaluate cumulative impacts, according to WCCB Charlotte. Activist groups including the Party for Socialism and Liberation Charlotte also organized in support of the pause, as reported by WCNC.
Some speakers cautioned against the moratorium. Attorney Bruce Thompson, a public policy specialist, warned it could signal to the industry that data centers are unwelcome in the state and risk alienating prospective large taxpayers, as reported by WFAE. Collin Brown with Alexander Ricks PLLC and representatives of real estate developers also argued data centers are critical infrastructure for modern business, per WCCB Charlotte.
City officials have indicated there may be legal limitations on Charlotte's regulatory powers under North Carolina law. The state's General Assembly is also considering bills addressing data centers, including a potential repeal of sales tax exemptions. American Tower has delayed its zoning request until June 15, and the Charlotte City Council is scheduled to vote on the moratorium on June 8, per QCity Metro and Queen City News.
Charlotte City Council debates proposed data center moratorium amidst public opposition
QCity Metro
Charlotte Residents weigh in on proposed data center moratorium
WCCB Charlotte
Charlotte City Council to host public meeting on 150-day data center moratorium Tuesday
WFAE
East Charlotte residents, activists prepare to speak out at public hearing over proposed data center moratorium
WCNC
Charlotte residents demand data center moratorium at public hearing
Queen City News
Hundreds Rally Against 40,000-Acre Stratos Data Center in Box Elder County, Utah
Hundreds of Utah residents gathered at the Capitol steps on Saturday to demand a halt to the Stratos Project, a proposed 40,000-acre data center campus in Box Elder County along the Great Salt Lake, according to The Daily Utah Chronicle. The rally followed a decision by Box Elder County commissioners to greenlight the project despite substantial public opposition.
Speakers warned the project could:
- Severely impact air quality and increase greenhouse gas emissions
- Exacerbate the state's critical water supply issues
- Expose residents to air pollutants, including arsenic from the Great Salt Lake
Activist Shannon Barton formed the Box Elder Accountability Referendum (BEAR) organization, aiming to bring the project's fate to voters after commissioners reportedly denied public comment during the final approval meeting, per The Daily Utah Chronicle. Sen. Doug Owens has proposed a bill to study data center environmental consequences in the state.
Separately, a newly formed group called Utah Civic Compact alleges that the Military Installation Development Authority (MIDA) violated state law in the project's approval process, according to FOX 13 News Utah. Co-founder Joe Buchman claims MIDA rushed what should have been a thorough process and is considering legal action. The Public Service Commission may potentially review and undo MIDA's decision. A zoning change application has been abandoned but is expected to be refiled.
Investor Kevin O'Leary, whose company O'Leary Ventures Co. is developing the data center, has hired lobbyists Casey Hill and Lincoln Shurtz from Lincoln Hill Partners to advocate for the project, as reported by FOX 13 News Utah. Hill notably managed Senate President Stuart Adams' election campaign, and Adams has also supported the Stratos Project. O'Leary has defended the project, stating they are building their own power infrastructure, creating jobs, and generating tax revenue for Utah.
As reported by Kiplinger, the Box Elder County situation is part of a broader national pattern of communities confronting data center impacts. A Carnegie Mellon University study estimates utility prices could rise 8% nationally by 2030 and up to 25% in some regions due to data center electricity demands.
"Protect the water, the air, the land": Hundreds demand halt on Box Elder data center plan
The Daily Utah Chronicle
Residents Express Concerns Over Data Center Impacts on Communities
Kiplinger
Here are the lobbyists Kevin O’Leary hired to promote his Box Elder County data center
FOX 13 News Utah
MIDA violated state law in approval process of Box Elder County data center, group claims
FOX 13 News Utah
Judge Halts Google-Backed Data Center Construction in Pine Island, Minnesota
A Goodhue County judge has issued a temporary restraining order halting all construction and pre-construction activities for Project Skyway, a Google-backed 482-acre data center development in Pine Island, Minnesota, according to KIMT. The order was granted on May 22 following a lawsuit filed in October by the Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy (MCEA) against the City of Pine Island and developer Ryan Companies.
MCEA contended that the city's environmental review — an Alternative Urban Areawide Review (AUAR) — was inadequate for the project's scale, as reported by 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS. Key issues raised include:
- The AUAR lacked specifics on projected electricity and water consumption, noise, and light impacts
- The review was based on studies for generic "technology center" or "light industrial development" rather than a hyperscale data center
- The fully built-out facility could increase Pine Island's water usage by 50%, consuming up to 55.5 million gallons annually
- The project could demand up to 2,700 megawatts of electricity, exceeding Minnesota's largest power plant at 1,700 megawatts, per FOX 9
Judge Patrick M. Biren found that MCEA demonstrated a likelihood of success on the merits and that "irreparable harm" would occur without the order, according to KTTC. The judge also noted that the City of Pine Island failed to fully comply with the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act, per KIMT. The city initially claimed no end-user was identified, though Google was later revealed as the client in February 2026.
Ryan Companies, which had planned to begin construction in July 2026 and could face delays costing $5 million or more, said it is reviewing the order, as reported by kaaltv.com. Xcel Energy is slated to partner on the project, proposing 1,400 MW of wind, 200 MW of solar, and a 300 MW battery. A new hearing has not yet been scheduled.
Court pauses development on planned Google data center in Pine Island
5 EYEWITNESS NEWS
Judge grants temporary restraining order to halt Pine Island data center construction
kaaltv.com
Temporary restraining order halts proposed Pine Island data center
KIMT
Pine Island Google data center construction halted by court
FOX 9 Minneapolis-St. Paul
Citrus County, Florida Enacts One-Year Moratorium on Data Centers
Citrus County Commissioners in Florida unanimously approved a one-year moratorium on data center development following two hours of public comment, according to Florida Politics. Many residents advocated for an outright ban, citing concerns over water and electricity usage, light pollution in rural areas, and continuous low-frequency noise.
The moratorium covers building permits, development orders, and rezonings related to data centers. Commission Chairwoman Diana Finegan cited rapidly evolving AI technology and public concern as reasons for the pause, as reported by paxtonmedia.com. Commissioner Holly Davis, while supporting the moratorium, noted that a permanent ban could lead to legal challenges.
A pending application from the Deltona Corporation to rezone 550 acres adjacent to the 800-acre Holder Industrial Park for heavy industrial use will still proceed, as the application was filed before the moratorium took effect, per Florida Politics. However, no data center permits will be issued during the moratorium period even if the Board approves the plan. The Planning and Development Commission is scheduled to reconsider Deltona's request on June 18.
As reported by FOX 13 Tampa Bay, the Citrus County action is part of a broader statewide debate in Florida. Governor Ron DeSantis has voiced concerns about data centers' impact on public resources, and Florida lawmakers have passed a bill requiring disclosure of documents submitted to local governments by tech companies and prohibiting construction near residential areas and schools.
Clinton, Iowa Residents Push Back on Proposed QTS Data Center; Moratorium Vote Set for June 9
Dozens of Clinton, Iowa residents packed a recent committee meeting to oppose a proposed AI data center by QTS Data Centers, citing concerns over water and electricity demands and potential utility bill increases, according to KWQC. Residents urged city leaders to consider a moratorium or ordinance to regulate such developments.
QTS confirmed its interest in a potential campus in Clinton, stating it would fund its own energy costs and design facilities with closed-loop cooling systems that do not consume water once operational, per KWQC. The company plans to submit a proposed site plan to the city council next month, reportedly eyeing land 2,000 feet west of Brandon Hills. Grow Clinton, an economic development organization, voiced support for the project.
The Clinton City Council has agreed to vote on a 120-day moratorium on data center development at its June 9 meeting, as reported by the Clinton Herald.
As reported by KWQC News, a Harvard study estimates data centers could account for 10-15% of total nationwide electricity demand within a couple of years.
