Daily Digest — June 25, 2026
Texas Data Centers Largely Non-Compliant With Water Usage Reporting Law
Only 17% of the 341 data centers operating in Texas responded to a state survey on water usage, despite a legal requirement to do so, according to the San Antonio Express-News. The Texas Water Development Board lacks enforcement power, though the Attorney General's office could intervene. A separate voluntary survey by the Public Utilities Commission received responses from just 28 companies covering 92 facilities. State Rep. Brad Buckley called the response rates "pathetic" and "woefully inadequate," noting the gaps compromise the accuracy of the 2027 State Water Plan, which currently does not account for data center demand.
As reported by the San Antonio Current, Governor Greg Abbott has directed public utilities to ensure data center infrastructure costs are not transferred to consumers and recommended the legislature mandate water-efficient recirculation cooling systems for new facilities. Dan Diorio of the Data Center Coalition attributed the low survey response to companies' need to protect proprietary information, suggesting aggregated and anonymized data formats might improve participation. Beau Schilz from Amazon Web Services noted that water restrictions could lead to a 14% increase in power demand.
County officials, including Caldwell County Judge Hoppy Haden and Tom Green County Commissioner Shawn Nanny, testified that rural counties lack regulatory authority over data center developments and are facing organized citizen opposition, emphasizing the need for greater local control.
Poll: 56% of Texas Voters Oppose Data Centers in Their Communities
A University of Texas/Texas Politics Project poll of 1,200 registered voters, conducted June 5–12, found that 56% of Texans oppose data center construction in their communities, with 42% strongly opposed, according to FOX 7 Austin. Opposition was strongest in rural areas (62%) and suburban communities (60%), while urban areas showed less opposition (45%) and more support (36%).
As reported by sanangelolive.com, the findings reveal a partisan divide:
- Democrats: 71% opposed
- Independents: 62% opposed
- Republicans: 44% opposed, 42% in favor
Governor Abbott has supported tighter regulation on data centers' energy and water consumption and suggested repealing a state sales tax exemption that costs the state over a billion dollars annually. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has directed Senate interim committees to investigate potential legislation. A Texas Tribune analysis noted that many of the 248 planned data centers are in rural counties, often in unincorporated areas with limited local regulatory oversight. The poll results are expected to influence the November general election and legislative action when the next session begins in January, per KLBJ-AM.
Pennsylvania Capitol Rally Calls for Three-Year Statewide Data Center Moratorium
A rally at the Pennsylvania Capitol, led by State Sen. Katie Muth and supported by State Rep. Jamie Walsh and Rep. Paul Friel, called for a three-year moratorium on data center development, according to the Hazleton Standard Speaker. Speakers raised concerns about air and noise pollution, excessive water consumption, and what they characterized as close ties between the data center industry and Governor Josh Shapiro's administration. Dr. Colby Wesner of Montour County cited documents obtained through the state's Right to Know Law.
Governor Shapiro's office responded by stating the Governor acknowledges Pennsylvanians' concerns and advocates for "strong, enforceable standards." The administration has proposed "Governors Responsible Infrastructure Development" (GRID) standards focusing on transparency, self-arranged power, environmental conservation, and community benefits, and supports incorporating these into law. As reported by the New Hope Free Press, critics have targeted the governor for welcoming Amazon's $20 billion investment and associated tax breaks.
Pennsylvania House Passes Bill Allowing 6-Month Municipal Data Center Pause
The Pennsylvania House passed legislation allowing municipalities to impose a six-month moratorium on considering new data center proposals with a 201-1 vote, according to The Center Square. The bill, sponsored by Chester County Rep. Paul Friel, targets facilities with peak electrical demand of 25 megawatts or greater. A separate bill incorporating Governor Shapiro's proposed GRID standards also passed the House (134-68). Both now advance to the Senate.
Additional moratorium proposals are pending in the Senate:
- Sen. Jarrett Coleman (R-Lehigh County): 18-month local moratorium bill
- Sen. Katie Muth (D-Chester County): three-year statewide moratorium on hyperscale data centers
Both are awaiting action in the Senate Local Government Committee, as also reported by WENY News.
Nashville Advances Data Center Zoning Bill and Moratorium Near Zoo
The Nashville Metro Council is pursuing two legislative efforts targeting data center development, according to WSMV. Council Member Rollin Horton is sponsoring a comprehensive zoning bill for Davidson County that would:
- Ban data center facilities larger than 500,000 square feet
- Require smaller proposals to obtain a special exemption from the Board of Zoning Appeals
- Mandate public hearings and strict location criteria regarding proximity to schools and residential areas
- Ban on-site power generation from gas turbines
- Require closed-loop water cooling systems
Council Member Courtney Johnston is simultaneously sponsoring a temporary 90-day moratorium on all data center construction, which was approved on first reading June 9, as reported by WKRN. Both proposals are scheduled for Metro Planning Commission review Thursday, with a full council public hearing on July 7.
The measures respond to a proposed DC Blox project near the Nashville Zoo, which has drawn over 500,000 petition signatures in opposition. The project's permits are in legal limbo due to missing information and a zoning appeal from the zoo. As reported by the Nashville Banner, Fisk University has publicly supported Metro Nashville's regulatory efforts while pursuing its own 30-megawatt data center plan on its North Nashville campus.
Mayor Freddie O'Connell has issued Executive Order 59 directing Metro departments to study data center impacts on neighborhoods, utilities, and infrastructure, according to WZTV and the Tennessean.
Nashville Metro Council considers measures to halt data center near zoo
WSMV
What’s next for data centers in Nashville? Council members host town hall
WZTV
More communities look to stop data centers
WKRN News 2
Fisk University supports regulation of data centers
Nashville Banner
Two data centers and Nashville's big dilemma | Opinion
The Tennessean
Gallatin, Tennessee Defers Data Center Moratorium Vote
Officials in Gallatin, Tennessee deferred action on a proposed data center moratorium, opting to await a comprehensive report from the city attorney on potential implications, according to WKRN. Council Member Pascal Jouvence cited concerns about data center effects on water, electricity, and local populations, noting the presence of a large Meta facility as a precedent.
Deltona Corporation Withdraws Data Center Rezoning Application in Citrus County, Florida
Deltona Corporation has withdrawn its application to rezone nearly 800 acres near Holder Industrial Park in Citrus County from agricultural and low-density residential to heavy industrial, according to Paxtonmedia.com. The withdrawal followed a unanimous denial of Deltona's request to delay consideration and a unanimous recommendation for denial from the Planning & Development Commission after a record-attendance public hearing.
As reported by Florida Trend, the scheduled July 14 commissioner vote has been cancelled. County Commissioner Holly Davis noted the withdrawal means any future application would be a new filing, subject to the county's recently enacted 12-month data center moratorium. Commission Chair Diana Finegan said officials are actively working to strengthen land development codes and establish stricter standards before new applications are submitted.
DeSoto County, Florida Moves Toward One-Year Data Center Moratorium
DeSoto County commissioners voted unanimously to direct their attorney to draft a one-year moratorium on new data center applications, following nearly three hours of public comment in which no one spoke against the proposed pause, according to the Suncoast Searchlight. The moratorium would not affect projects already in the pipeline, including a rezoning application for an 800-acre gas-powered hyperscale data center complex by DCIP Group.
As reported by WENG Radio, some residents are pushing for a permanent ban rather than a temporary pause, citing threats to the county's agricultural character, wetlands, and water supply. Commissioner Judy Schaefer expressed support for the moratorium but did not commit to a permanent halt. Two additional public meetings are scheduled before a final vote.
