Daily Digest — June 3, 2026
Piqua, Ohio Residents Sue City Over Emergency Data Center Approval
Residents in Piqua, Ohio, held a "Stand With Piqua – No Data Center" rally on June 2 and attended a City Commission meeting to protest an already-approved data center project on Farrington Road, according to Miami Valley Today and WHIO TV. The project was approved months ago as an emergency measure, which residents say eliminated most public notification requirements. The company behind the project remains undisclosed due to a non-disclosure agreement signed by city officials.
A community group led by Alisha Lange has retained legal counsel and is fundraising $300,000 to file a lawsuit against the City of Piqua, as reported by WDTN. Residents allege the approval constituted a "back door deal" and have raised concerns about:
- Projected water usage and strain on local water supplies
- Noise pollution and increased energy demand
- Industrialization near residential zones, schools, and farms
- Lack of transparency and meaningful community input
The protest drew over 50 attendees at its peak, according to WHIO TV. Organizers are calling for a formal moratorium resolution to prevent long-term water and power commitments until voters and ratepayers have provided meaningful input. This local opposition is part of a broader statewide movement: more than 44,000 Ohioans have signed a petition urging state representatives to pause data center progress, and Governor Mike DeWine has instructed the Ohio Tax Credit Authority to halt consideration of new data center tax exemption requests pending a legislative study.
The City of Piqua issued a statement acknowledging residents' right to peaceful assembly but did not address the specific allegations, as reported by WDTN.
Piqua residents sue city over data center
WDTNTV
Piqua residents rally against approved data center project
Miami Valley Today
‘We’ve been ignored;’ Community gathers for another protest against data center plans in Piqua
WHIO TV
Community gathers for another protest against data center plans in Piqua | WHIO-TV
WHIO
Piqua residents fund lawsuit against city over data center
WDTN.com
Fort Worth City Council Weighs Data Center Regulations and Potential Moratorium
The Fort Worth City Council held a work session to consider new development standards for data centers following a presentation by Assistant City Manager Jesica McEachern, according to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Proposed regulatory changes include:
- Prohibiting cryptocurrency mining as a primary use
- Mandating increased setbacks and acoustic barriers
- Requiring closed-loop cooling systems for water efficiency
- Setting specific parameters for backup generators
- Requiring a minimum $500 million initial investment and end-user disclosure for developers seeking incentives
Residents and activists gathered outside City Hall to demand an immediate moratorium, as reported by CBS News. Concerns centered on the Black Mountain data center in southeast Fort Worth and a separate $1.1 billion project in southwest Tarrant County, for which a tax abatement vote was delayed after community pushback, according to WFAA. A Coalition Against the Data Center Proposal has formed to advocate for strict limits on economic development agreements.
A 90-day moratorium was presented as an option but would not be feasible until late October due to recent state guideline changes, per the Star-Telegram. Council member Michael Crain stated he does not support a formal moratorium, saying a "natural moratorium" will result from state-level approval requirements, but affirmed the city's commitment to "best-in-class standards." Council member Elizabeth Beck expressed opposition to offering tax incentives. The proposed zoning amendments are slated for the Fort Worth Zoning Commission in July, with City Council action expected in August. The Black Mountain site plan's zoning request is scheduled for June 23.
Fort Worth to weigh local data center regulations as residents call for moratorium
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Fort Worth residents push for moratorium on data center growth
CBS News
Fort Worth residents push for pause on new data centers
CBS TEXAS
Local activists protest data centers in Fort Worth (Video)
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
North Texas city leader shares details on new data center regulations to help resident concerns
WFAA
Independence, Missouri Residents Pursue Moratorium and Legal Action Against Nebius Data Center
Residents in Independence, Missouri, organized as the Independence G.U.A.R.D. Alliance (Guardians United Against Reckless Development), are calling for a temporary data center moratorium and exploring legal action against the Nebius AI hyperscale data center development off Bly Road, according to KSHB 41. Nebius broke ground on the facility in mid-May.
The coalition's legal strategy centers on alleged violations of the Missouri Sunshine Law. Steve Jeffrey of Jeffrey Law Group indicated that documented violations could give a circuit judge authority to void the city's approval of the project or its tax abatement. This effort follows two prior setbacks: a Jackson County circuit court judge ruled against a public vote on the city council's approval, and a petition to recall city councilman John Perkins failed to gather the necessary signatures.
Attorneys also hosted a town hall meeting to address the growing opposition, as reported by FOX4KC.
New York Assembly Speaker Announces Intent to Pass One-Year Data Center Moratorium
New York State Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie announced that lawmakers intend to pass a one-year moratorium on data center construction statewide, according to Spectrum News. The bill, a reworked version of an earlier three-year proposal, would require the state Department of Environmental Conservation to complete an 18-month impact study, recommend new regulations, and hold public hearings before issuing permits.
As reported by the New York Post, the bill also includes provisions for:
- Green energy use standards requiring increasing percentages of renewable electricity starting in 2030
- Union bargaining and prevailing wage standards for construction
- Passage would make New York the first state to enact such a ban
Governor Kathy Hochul has previously expressed preference for data center decisions to remain at the municipal level. The Data Center Coalition warned the moratorium could deter development, while the Business Council of New York State called it a "knee-jerk reaction." Proponents argue a pause is necessary to assess impacts on water, air, noise, farmland, and utility rates. The legislative session is nearing its end, creating a limited window for action.
Separately, Hudson Valley Post reported on the breadth of data center discussions across multiple New York regions, including East Fishkill (a proposed 1,000 MW facility), Tonawanda ($2 billion, 300 MW proposal), Somerset (Lake Mariner expansion), St. Lawrence County (multiple large-scale proposals), and Oneonta (12-month moratorium approved). Federal officials are also studying whether Brookhaven National Laboratory in Suffolk County could host a massive AI data center campus.
N.Y. Assembly speaker on 1-year data center moratorium: 'We intend to pass it'
Spectrum News
Albany Democrats poised to impose 1-year ban on new AI data center construction in NY
New York Post
Where In New York AI Data Centers Are Being Discussed
Hudson Valley Post
State lawmakers entertain moratorium on data centers
Audacy
Hood County, Texas Faces Eight Data Center Proposals and Multiple Lawsuits
Hood County, Texas, is contending with eight proposed data center projects spanning over 7,600 acres, according to KBTX News 3. Local officials say they feel powerless to stop the developments due to Texas law limiting county zoning authority in unincorporated areas.
Two attempts by the Hood County Commissioners Court to enact a moratorium on data center construction failed, in part after State Senator Paul Bettencourt warned that counties lack constitutional authority for such bans. The Commissioners Court subsequently amended development regulations in March, imposing stricter requirements including:
- Detailed disclosures on water and energy use for large industrial projects
- Reduced allowable building footprints
- Revocation of the previously approved concept plan for the "Fort Spunky" project by Pacifico Energy after a local water utility denied its water request
Pacifico Energy has sued the county seeking no less than $250,000 in damages, claiming the county lacked legal authority for the denial. Another developer, Sailfish Investors ("Comanche Circle" project), has also threatened legal action. The county is seeking clarification from the Texas Attorney General regarding its authority under watershed protection laws and has asked Governor Greg Abbott to call a special legislative session. Nearby Hill County enacted a one-year moratorium but faces a $100 million lawsuit from a developer as a result.
The Atlantic Examines AI-Generated Content in Anti-Data Center Activism
The Atlantic reported on the prevalence of AI-generated content — described as "AI slop" — within online anti-data center activism. Examples cited include inaccurate search summaries, a debunked rumor about a Long Island data center that nearly incited a protest, and AI-generated memes depicting farmland scenes with anti-data center messages.
The article noted that while the origins of this content are debated — with some attributing it to foreign actors and others to individuals seeking platform monetization — communities do harbor legitimate concerns about data centers' strain on local utilities, consumption of open spaces, and limited long-term job creation.