Daily Digest — June 23, 2026
Wisconsin: $1 Billion Data Center Campus Draws Community Opposition in Beloit
Panattoni Development is proposing a $1 billion hyperscale data center campus, dubbed "Project Cornmaze," spanning more than 430 acres in the towns of Beloit and Turtle in Rock County, Wisconsin. According to WIFR, senior vice president Brock Tomlinson presented plans for a 2 million sq. ft. campus at an invite-only lunch meeting, with a five-year construction timeline.
The developer claims the facility will use a closed-loop water cooling system, potentially reducing water usage by 50%. An analysis by Applied Analysis projected:
- $636.7 million in economic output for Rock County and Wisconsin during construction
- $6.5 million in annual property taxes
- Potential status as Rock County's largest principal taxpayer
As reported by the Beloit Daily News, Tomlinson estimated the data centers would use 40,000 to 50,000 gallons of water daily, compared to 100,000 gallons per day currently used by the existing Rock Road Companies quarry operations on the site.
Approximately 50 protestors organized by No Beloit Data Center gathered outside the private meeting, citing concerns about increased electricity bills, water usage, pollution, and diminished property values. Rock County District Supervisor Philip Gorman questioned whether the private meeting violated Wisconsin's Open Meetings Act, and No Beloit Data Center's Brittany Keyes has filed a complaint with the Rock County District Attorney, according to WIFR. Town of Beloit officials indicated the town is in early stages of vetting Panattoni's information and must address environmental concerns related to a gravel quarry and nearby watershed before any decisions are made. Public votes remain pending.
Data center developer sheds light on $1B Beloit project raising community concern
WIFR
Data center developer shows plans at two local events
Beloit Daily News
Data center developer holds private meeting
WKOW 27 NEWS
Data center developer sheds light on $1 billion Beloit project raising community concern
WIFR TV
'First of many conversations': Data center developer Panattoni holds private meeting in Beloit
WKOW 27 NEWS
Missouri: Jackson County Enacts 180-Day Data Center Moratorium
The Jackson County Legislature voted to enact a 180-day moratorium on the processing of all land use applications for data centers and Battery Energy Storage Systems, according to KSHB 41. The ordinance is intended to provide time for the county to develop comprehensive long-term policy, establish regulatory standards, and enhance public notification requirements.
Legislature chairman Manny Abarca described the decision as a direct response to public sentiment expressed at the "Stop the AI Data Center" town hall in Independence. The action follows community opposition to a data center project by Dutch tech company Nebius, which broke ground in May on a 400-acre site near Little Blue Parkway and Bly Road. Area residents protested at city council meetings and filed a lawsuit seeking a city-wide vote on the project, though the lawsuit was dismissed by a judge.
Missouri: 20-Story Data Center Tower Proposed for Downtown Kansas City
Miami-based real estate investment fund Revitalization Unlimited has filed plans for a 20-story, 384-foot data center tower at 934 Central St. in downtown Kansas City, as reported by the Kansas City Star. The project would require demolishing the 1900-built Western Newspaper Union Building, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The proposed tower would feature retail space on the ground floor, with remaining floors dedicated to data center infrastructure. The development plan indicates:
- A closed-loop water cooling system
- On-site power generation using natural gas fuel cells
- Confirmed infrastructure support from utility providers Spire and KC Water
The project faces several regulatory steps, including a special use permit from two city boards, a zoning change requiring public hearings, and a demolition review by the Historic Preservation Commission, which has authority to delay demolition for up to 45 days. The City Plan Commission is scheduled to evaluate the development plan on August 5, according to the Kansas City Star.
Virginia: Legislature Passes Budget with First-Ever Statewide Data Center Energy Tax
Virginia's General Assembly passed a conference budget incorporating new data center regulations and taxes, projected to generate approximately $1.2 billion in new revenue, according to WVTF. A centerpiece of the legislation is a new energy consumption tax on data centers estimated to collect $600 million annually — described by Governor Abigail Spanberger as the first-ever statewide energy consumption tax on data centers in any U.S. state, as reported by NBC4 Washington.
Key provisions of the budget include:
- Retention of the existing data center sales tax exemption
- New environmental mandates, including collection of evaporation data from "cooling water scarcity areas"
- Requirements for closed-loop cooling systems
- New demands on air and water permits assigned to the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality
- A rebate program for select Dominion Energy Virginia and Appalachian Power customers funded by RGGI auction proceeds
- New regulations on data center water consumption
Democratic leaders offered qualified support, with Senate President Louise Lucas and Delegate Luke Torian viewing the outcome as a "good start." The Data Center Coalition criticized the package, asserting it imposes "unnecessary new taxes" and "onerous new regulations" that will deter investment. Environmental groups including the Chesapeake Bay Foundation expressed disappointment, suggesting the state failed to set robust enough standards. The budget now awaits Governor Spanberger's signature or potential amendments.
Virginia: Data Centers Subject to Same Drought Water Restrictions as All Customers
Amid Virginia's most severe drought in decades, state and local officials have confirmed that data centers are subject to the same water restrictions as all other commercial, industrial, and residential customers, with no special carve-outs, according to the Northern Virginia Daily.
The Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is reviewing its drought assessment and response procedures. Weedon Cloe, manager of the Office of Water Supply at DEQ, noted that the state has not experienced such dry conditions since 2002. Several localities including Henrico, Loudoun, and Fairfax counties confirmed adherence to uniform restriction policies. In Henrico County, only one of 11 data centers ranks among the county's top 10 water users, according to Rappahannock News.
The Western Virginia Water Authority is considering policy updates in anticipation of a Google data center in the Roanoke area, authorized to use up to 8 million gallons of water per day, expected to become operational in 2028. Virginia's three drought stages — watch, warning, and emergency — dictate whether localities recommend voluntary conservation or implement mandatory restrictions and potential fines.
Texas: Chevron Signs 20-Year Power Deal with Microsoft for 2.67 GW West Texas Data Center
Chevron has signed a 20-year power purchase agreement to supply approximately 2.67 gigawatts of natural gas-fired power to Microsoft's data center project in West Texas, codenamed "Project Kilby," according to the Houston Chronicle. The project would be one of the largest gas-powered data center developments in the United States.
Key details include:
- Power generation primarily through GE Vernova turbines, with Caterpillar also supplying turbines
- Chevron collaborating with investment fund Engine No. 1 on the development, as reported by Bloomberg
- Final investment decision anticipated by end of 2026
- Electricity supply expected to commence in 2028
- Projected $10 billion in state and local tax revenue
- Approximately 2,000 jobs created
Chevron highlighted plans for advanced emissions-control technology, use of non-potable brackish groundwater, and measures to minimize noise and light impacts. Jeff Gustavson, Chevron's president of New Energies, stated the company is targeting mid-teen returns on the investment.
Chevron signs 20-year power agreement for Microsoft data center in West Texas
Chron
Chevron Signs 20-Year Power Deal with Microsoft to Support West Texas Data Center
AIM Media House
Chevron to Power Microsoft Data Center in West Texas with Natural Gas; GE Vernova and Caterpillar to Supply Turbines
foreignpolicyjournal.com
Chevron finalizes power deal with Microsoft for West Texas data center and power plant
The Business Journals
Microsoft, Chevron Sign Power Deal for Texas Data Center
Bloomberg Podcasts
California: Monterey Park Becomes First U.S. City to Ban Data Centers; Statewide Opposition Grows
Monterey Park, California, has become the first U.S. city to ban data centers, with nearly 90% of voters supporting the ballot measure, according to KVCR News. The ban followed resident opposition to a proposed 250,000-square-foot AI data center by Australian company HMC Stratcap, with community members citing a lack of transparency regarding environmental reports, land use changes, and potential impacts on water and electricity resources.
As reported by KQED, longtime resident Yun Wang noted that many residents were unaware of the project until a year after the city had made initial allowances. The Monterey Park City Council unanimously placed the ban on the June ballot after public backlash.
Other California communities are following suit. In Coachella, residents mobilized against plans by Stronghold Power Systems to build six data centers, leading the city council to adopt a 45-day moratorium and terminate its agreement with the developer. Governor Gavin Newsom vetoed Assembly Bill 93, which would have required data centers to disclose water usage, citing unclear economic impacts. Meanwhile, the Imperial Irrigation District faces a lawsuit for denying a data center developer water access, according to KVCR News.
A separate analysis by Spotlight PA reported that Gallup polling shows 70% of Americans, including majorities of both Democrats and Republicans, oppose local AI data center construction, with at least 75 data center projects stalled or blocked nationwide.
