Daily Digest — June 18, 2026
Luther, Oklahoma Approves Data Center Moratorium After Massive Public Turnout
The Luther Board of Trustees approved a temporary moratorium on all new data center-related zoning requests and specific-use permit applications following a meeting that drew an estimated 400 residents — nearly a quarter of the town's population — according to News 9. The overwhelming turnout forced the meeting outdoors onto Main Street, as reported by KOCO.
The moratorium pauses all new applications and existing ones — including a proposal from Beltline Energy — through December 31, 2026. The ordinance formally cites concerns over excessive water usage, high electrical demand, noise pollution, heat generation, air quality issues, and strain on local infrastructure. Trustee Jarod Davis cautioned that refusing land-use applications without due process could expose the town to legal challenges, according to KOCO.
Residents chanted "We need a vote. Why can't we vote?" and called for outright rejection of the Beltline Energy proposal, though the council noted it was listed as a discussion item only. As reported by KOKH, individual residents cited concerns ranging from noise impacts on family members with sensory sensitivities to preserving Luther's small-town character. The situation mirrors similar moratoriums enacted in nearby Oklahoma City and Edmond. A special Board of Trustees meeting is scheduled for June 25.
Hundreds gather outside in Luther as town board approves a data center moratorium
News 9
Luther residents pack town hall to debate proposed data center after meeting delay
KOKH
Huge crowd forces Luther meeting outdoors as town passes moratorium on data centers
KOCO
Luther Data Center Proposal
KOKH - FOX 25
Luther residents gather for outdoor city council meeting over data centers
KOCO 5 News
Clark County Commissioners Approve Switch Data Center Expansion in Southwest Las Vegas
Clark County commissioners unanimously approved land-use entitlements for Switch's LAS 19 data center project in the southwest Las Vegas valley, according to the Las Vegas Review-Journal. The proposed facility is a roughly 56,788-square-foot building on 9 acres near Warm Springs Road and Edmond Street.
The approval came despite opposition from environmental groups including the Nevada Environmental Justice Coalition and the Sierra Club, as well as local residents who raised concerns about energy grid strain, increased natural gas demand, water usage, and climate impacts, as reported by FOX5 Vegas. The Enterprise Town Advisory Board had recommended denial of the design review and waivers.
Commissioners distinguished this project from other data center proposals, highlighting:
- Switch's commitment to 100% renewable energy, funded through its own infrastructure
- Use of a non-evaporative closed-loop cooling system with near-zero water consumption
- A score of 6.5 out of 7 on the county's sustainability point system
- A decade of zero noise complaints at the existing campus
Switch withdrew several landscaping waiver requests and agreed to fund a pedestrian safety barrier along Warm Springs Road, according to KTNV. Commissioners Michael Naft and Jim Gibson emphasized the approval was specific to Switch and not a blanket endorsement for all data center developments.
Separately, the Review-Journal reports that Switch recently acquired 53.6 acres in the southern Las Vegas Valley for $86.2 million, adding to earlier purchases of over 300 acres in North Las Vegas' Apex Industrial Park for more than $180 million, according to a separate report.
Switch’s plan to add another data center to Las Vegas HQ moves forward
Las Vegas Review-Journal
Data-center owner buys more land in Southern Nevada for $86M
Las Vegas Review-Journal
Clark County approves Switch data center project in southwest valley after public opposition
FOX5 Vegas
Data center expansion in southwest valley unanimously approved by Zoning Commission
ktnv.com
Clark County commissioners OK Switch data center project in southwest Las Vegas
FOX5 Las Vegas
Spartanburg County Moves Toward Data Center Moratorium Amid Multiple Project Disputes
Spartanburg County Council has voted to direct staff to draft a one-year moratorium on data centers after a permit request was filed for a proposed facility at 300 Jones Road, a partnership between Wharton Digital and Lighthouse Data Centers, according to FOX Carolina. Council members stated they did not consider the project active until the permit was filed, though residents allege discussions have been public for months and question the timing relative to council re-election campaigns.
Separately, NorthMark Strategies is hosting a tele-town hall to address community concerns about its approved $2.8 billion data center project at the former Kohler plant site on South Pine Street, as reported by WSPA. The virtual event is scheduled just before a South Carolina Department of Environmental Services hearing on NorthMark's plans to power the facility with gas turbines. The call can accommodate at least 1,500 participants, with priority for questions from local zip codes.
The county council recently rejected a separate $3 billion data center proposal in the Tyger River Industrial Park following community pushback.
Company behind Spartanburg data center to host tele-town hall
WSPA 7NEWS
Spartanburg County leaders say they only recently learned of proposed data center. Some residents aren’t buying it.
FOX Carolina News
NorthMark plans virtual town hall to hear concerns about data center
GoUpstate
Spartanburg County residents question leaders on proposed data center
FOX Carolina News
Box Elder County, Utah Passes Data Center Moratorium; Stratos Project Exempted
Box Elder County commissioners unanimously approved a 180-day moratorium on new data centers and associated power plants in unincorporated areas, according to Utah Public Radio. The temporary ban provides time to evaluate and establish zoning classifications and development standards for such facilities.
The moratorium explicitly excludes the Stratos Project, a proposed hyperscale data center campus backed by investor Kevin O'Leary. County officials previously transferred land-use authority for the 20,000-acre site to Utah's Military Installation Development Authority (MIDA) for 50 years, effectively exempting it from county zoning rules, as reported by Southern Utah News.
O'Leary has agreed to reduce the project's proposed area from 40,000 to approximately 20,000 acres after Utah State Senate President J. Stuart Adams requested a 75% cut, according to Univision Salt Lake City. The data center has become a central issue in Adams' reelection primary, with challenger Stephanie Hollist criticizing the project and citing a lack of public input, as reported by KSL NewsRadio.
Two lawsuits have been filed:
- The Box Elder Accountability Referendum (BEAR) filed suit in Utah's 1st District Court after the county rejected referendums for a public vote
- Five anonymous residents, with the Alliance for a Better Utah, filed a second lawsuit accusing officials of infringing on residents' civil rights
A commissioned poll by BEAR found over 70% of county voters oppose the project due to potential impacts on air quality, water resources, and the Great Salt Lake ecosystem. Separately, as reported by Read Lion, U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce leadership has sent a letter to FBI Director Kash Patel requesting an investigation into alleged foreign influence campaigns targeting data center opposition nationwide.
Box Elder County passes moratorium on future data centers
Utah Public Radio
Lawmakers and investors link data center opposition to foreign influence; Utah project faces lawsuit
Read Lion
Aceptan reducir a la mitad el área para el Proyecto Stratos de un centro de datos en Box Elder
UNIVISION SALT LAKE CITY
Data center dominates candidate forum in Utah Senate president’s reelection bid
KSL NewsRadio
Google Hosts Botetourt County Open House Amid Protests Over Proposed Data Center
Google held a community open house at Lord Botetourt High School in Botetourt County, Virginia, drawing more than 350 residents and over 100 demonstrators — including a protester dressed as the Lorax — according to WDBJ7 and WSET.
The Southwest Virginia Data Center Transparency Alliance, representing local residents, is demanding a public review of the project's environmental and infrastructure impacts. Key concerns include:
- Water consumption from Carvins Cove, a local drinking water supply
- Ecological impact on local streams and habitats
- Long-term water availability
Google Public Affairs Manager Clay Allsop stated the company collaborated with the Western Virginia Water Authority on a comprehensive water study and committed to funding all necessary infrastructure. He said the data center's water usage would be a fraction of the Water Authority's total capacity. Google's Virginia market development lead Cathie Vick emphasized the company would cap water use, fund its own power and water infrastructure, recruit within a 50-mile radius, and partner with local contractors.
Google cited $18 million in tax revenue already provided to Botetourt County, with projections of over 400 employees for similar-sized facilities. County Administrator Gary Larrowe confirmed that some administrative permits and approvals are still pending but are anticipated without issues. Site preparation is expected in coming months, with construction slated for early next year.
Google hosts Botetourt County open house on new data center
WDBJ7
Lorax-costumed protester joins opposition to Google data center in Botetourt County
WSET
Google facing questions at Botetourt open house
WSLS 10
Google hosts Botetourt County open house as supporters, protesters clash over data center
WSLS
Google Public Open House Faces Opposition to Data Center
Roanoke Times
