Daily Digest — June 17, 2026
Pittsburg, California, Residents Pack City Hall to Oppose Approved Data Center
Hundreds of residents in Pittsburg, California, filled a City Council meeting to voice opposition to a 300,000-square-foot data center approved in late 2024 for the former Delta View Golf Course, according to multiple Bay Area outlets including The Mercury News, KTVU, ABC7 Bay Area, Contra Costa News, and SFist. The AVAIO Digital project is the first phase of a three-phase development within the Pittsburg Technology Park and is designed to generate 96 megawatts of power, use recycled water for cooling, and include 37 diesel-fueled backup generators.
More than 100 public comments were made at the meeting, with speakers including Pittsburg Unified School District teachers, the activist group Indivisible Resisters Contra Costa, and community leaders. A Change.org petition opposing the project has gathered over 14,000 signatures. Residents called for a two-year moratorium on future data center development, similar to one enacted in neighboring Oakley.
Key resident concerns include:
- Potential strain on local water and electricity infrastructure
- Environmental impacts on grasslands and wetlands in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta corridor
- Noise impacts on nearby homes and schools
- Limited local job creation
- Perceived lack of transparency in the original approval process
City officials responded that the data center's power will come from Pittsburg Power Company, separate from the PG&E residential grid, and that cooling water will primarily be recycled from the Delta Diablo treatment plant — estimated at less than 1% of its current recycled water output. The developer will cover infrastructure upgrades, according to city officials.
The Center for Biological Diversity filed a lawsuit in December alleging the city violated the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) by approving the project without adequately assessing wildlife and climate impacts. According to The Mercury News, a previous lawsuit was dismissed after an agreement mandating 100% renewable energy, recycled water for cooling, and biological surveys. The city has committed to holding a public workshop with at least 10 days' notice to allow further community engagement.
Pittsburg residents voice frustration over approved data center
The Mercury News
Pittsburg controversy over data center on old Delta View Golf Course
KTVU
Hundreds show up at Pittsburg City Council meeting opposing data center development
ABC7 Bay Area
Pittsburg Data Center to Return to City Council Agenda
Contra Costa News
East Bay Residents Fight Plans For Massive Data Center Adjacent to Contra Costa Canal
SFist
Urbana, Ohio, City Council Unanimously Reverses Data Center Zoning
The Urbana City Council in Champaign County, Ohio, voted unanimously to reverse a zoning change that had permitted data centers in the city's M-1 Light Manufacturing District, as reported by Peak of Ohio, WDTN, and the Urbana Daily Citizen. Ordinance 4635-26 restores the city's zoning code to its pre-2025 status, changing the classification from "principal use" to "conditional."
The vote followed a 7-0 recommendation from the Urbana Planning Commission in May and a public hearing on June 9, with months of standing-room-only meetings where residents opposed the proposed development. According to Peak of Ohio, Thor Equities and its partners continued purchasing land for a potential data center campus, including a recent acquisition of nearly 100 acres for $3.4 million just weeks before the final vote. An active lawsuit filed by the developer remains open in Champaign County Common Pleas Court. A moratorium study committee is also expected to complete recommendations that the council could adopt as legislation.
Pasco County, Florida, Advances Data Center Moratorium to Second Hearing
Pasco County Commissioners held the first of two public hearings on a proposed one-year moratorium on data center development, according to Bay News 9, FOX 13 Tampa Bay, WFLA, and Tampa Bay 28. Nearly 30 people spoke during the meeting, with the majority expressing opposition to data center development and citing concerns about impacts on wildlife, water resources, energy consumption, and noise.
Commissioner Jack Mariano stated the proposed moratorium would allow time for research, public input, and the development of local policies, emphasizing it would not be a permanent ban. David Miltenberger, representing Stellaris Data Centers, supported the moratorium while advocating for a pathway for smaller, low-impact facilities. He described plans for a nearly 20-megawatt, 200,000-square-foot facility that he said would not use water for cooling.
The moratorium proposal includes potential thresholds for smaller centers, which some residents oppose as loopholes. Commissioners discussed refining the moratorium language to address these concerns. Key upcoming dates:
- **June 22**: Hearing in Zephyrhills
- **July 14**: Second hearing and vote in Dade City
The article noted similar moratoriums recently approved in Citrus County, proposed in Lakeland, and awaiting a vote in Zephyrhills.
Pasco County holds first scheduled public hearing on imposing a one-year moratorium for data centers
Bay News 9
Pasco considers data center moratorium
FOX 13 Tampa Bay
Pasco County considers AI data center pause
WFLA News Channel 8
Pasco County commissioners move forward with 2nd hearing on data center
Tampa Bay 28
Pasco County commissioners move forward with 2nd hearing on large-scale data center moratorium
Tampa Bay 28
Colorado Springs "Project Taurus" Data Center Receives Administrative Approval; Appeal Deadline Looms
Project Taurus, an AI data center proposed by California-based Raeden for the former Intel chip-manufacturing facility at 1565 High Tech Way in Colorado Springs, has received administrative approval from the city's planning staff, according to the Colorado Springs Gazette, KKTV, and KOAA 5.
Residents near the Chelsea Glen neighborhood are mobilizing to appeal the decision, with a filing deadline of June 22. Concerns center on noise pollution from cooling systems, as well as potential strain on Colorado Springs Utilities' power and water supply. An appeal would bring the matter before the nine-person Planning Commission for a special hearing in late July; a subsequent appeal would advance to the City Council for a final determination, potentially in late August.
Raeden's CEO acknowledged community concerns and stated the company modified its application to move generators further from the neighborhood. Councilmember Dave Donelson addressed public inquiries during a June 9 meeting, and a city spokesman clarified that the City Council has not taken a position on a moratorium. Mayor Yemi Mobolade stated his respect for established procedures, emphasizing that data centers must demonstrate they will not negatively impact quality of life.
Lexington, Kentucky, Enacts Moratorium as Residents Push Back on DartPoints Data Center
The Lexington-Fayette Urban County Council unanimously enacted a moratorium on data center development through October 31, following DartPoints Operating Company's announcement that it acquired a former Lexmark data center with plans to expand power capacity from 20-30 to 70 megawatts, as reported by WEKU, WUKY, LEX News, Spectrum News, and WKYT. The moratorium prevents the city from considering development plans, issuing approvals, or granting other authorizations for data centers during this period.
DartPoints did not secure necessary operation or remodeling permits before the moratorium took effect, which blocks the company from proceeding with its plans. The council also directed the planning commission to draft a countywide zoning amendment for data center regulation.
A public forum at The Lyric Theatre on Monday drew residents who raised concerns about environmental impacts, noise pollution, and potential utility increases. The Kentucky Resources Council presented a model ordinance for communities to regulate data centers, suggesting controls on construction locations, design standards, and energy consumption. Some residents called for a permanent ban rather than a temporary pause.
Key upcoming dates:
- Planning commission expects to release a first draft of its data center zoning amendment in the coming weeks
- Public hearing on the zoning amendment scheduled for **July 30**
- Current moratorium expires **October 31**
Council members decided against extending the moratorium for a full year, aiming instead to finalize regulations by fall.
Data center opposition takes center stage at Lexington community meeting
LEX News
Lexington residents speak out against plans for proposed data center
WEKU
Lexington community pushes back against data center developments
WUKY
Lexington residents push for stronger limits on data centers
Spectrum News
Lexington-Fayette Urban County Council Enacts Moratorium, Halting Data Center Operation
WKYT