Daily Digest — July 1, 2026
Pennsylvania Senate Committee Advances Municipal Moratorium Bills, Rejects Statewide Pause
The Pennsylvania Senate Local Government Committee advanced two bills that would grant municipalities the authority to temporarily halt data center development, according to the Altoona Mirror. Senate Bill 1345, sponsored by Republican Sen. Jarrett Coleman of Lehigh County, passed 10-1 and would allow municipalities to prohibit new data center applications and permits for up to 18 months while they evaluate and update local ordinances. House Bill 2496, sponsored by Democratic Rep. Paul Friel of Chester County, passed unanimously and would allow a six-month pause by modestly expanding the municipal curative amendment process.
A competing amendment from Republican Sen. Rosemary Brown of Monroe County to establish a three-year statewide moratorium on hyper-scale data center construction was rejected 2-9, as reported by the Times Leader. Senators cited concerns about the duration and potential overreach into local decision-making. Democratic Sen. Patty Kim of Dauphin County found the three-year timeline too long, and Republican Sen. Dawn Keefer of York County argued against state preemption of local powers. Both approved bills now move to the full Senate.
Separately, as reported by WGAL and Audacy, Sen. Coleman framed the 18-month moratorium as giving municipalities time to address data center impacts on power supply, water usage, and noise. The Times Leader also reported that Rep. Jim Haddock, D-Pittston Township, voted in favor of House Bill 2198, which would require data centers to pay property and sales taxes on their equipment.
An opinion piece on Inquirer.com by Food and Water Watch senior organizer Ginny Marcille-Kerslake urged lawmakers to support the three-year statewide moratorium introduced by Democratic Sen. Katie Muth, arguing that the voluntary GRID standards passed by the House are insufficient. The piece cited opposition in communities across the state, including East Whiteland, Hazle Townships, Montour County, South Whitehall Township, and Luzerne County, pointing to concerns over water usage, energy prices, and conversion of agricultural land.
Data center moratoriums backed in GOP-run Senate
altoonamirror.com
Committee votes on Sen. Brown’s statewide data center moratorium amendment
Times Leader
Pennsylvania Senate Bill Would Allow Municipalities to Temporarily Halt AI Data Centers
WGAL
These bills would allow municipalities to put a moratorium on Pa. data center development
Audacy
Pennsylvania lawmakers urged to pass full moratorium on hyperscale data centers
Inquirer.com
Texas Governor Abbott Calls for Ban on Data Centers in Rural Neighborhoods
Texas Governor Greg Abbott called for a ban on new AI data center development in rural parts of the state, according to the Texas Tribune. Speaking at a campaign event in Bullard, Abbott stated, "We must prohibit them from building AI data centers in rural Texas neighborhoods," linking the issue to "East Texas values" and property tax cuts. The proposal goes beyond a regulatory framework he unveiled earlier in June, which included requirements for data centers to generate their own power, pay for infrastructure, reuse water, implement setbacks, and eliminate tax breaks.
As reported by WFAA, this follows increasing backlash from rural communities. The Texas Tribune noted that local governments have already begun acting independently:
- San Marcos became the first Texas city to outright ban data centers
- Hill County reversed moratorium plans after facing a $100 million lawsuit from a developer
- A Texas lawmaker has expressed intent to challenge the San Marcos ban
Abbott's position has shifted from previously touting Texas as an "epicenter of AI development" after Google's $40 billion investment announcement. The Data Center Coalition maintains its members provide essential services and significant property tax benefits.
Texas Party Conventions Reveal Partisan Split on Data Center Policy
The Texas Democratic and Republican parties adopted divergent positions on data center regulation at their recent biennial conventions, according to the San Antonio Current. Democrats, meeting in Corpus Christi, adopted a platform calling for a moratorium on new data center construction until stronger state regulations are in place, citing concerns over water supply and the power grid.
The Republican convention in Houston revealed internal divisions. The GOP's Legislative Priorities Committee initially considered a range of guardrails — including mandating data centers secure their own power, preventing financial burdens on utility customers, and prohibiting tax incentives — but the final approved priorities for the 2026-2028 session scaled back significantly. The only explicit data center mention in the final document was a mandate to prohibit fresh groundwater and surface water consumption, requiring nonpotable water sources instead.
A Texas Politics Project poll cited in the coverage found 56% of Texans oppose new data centers in their communities, with 42% strongly opposed, and opposition particularly pronounced in rural areas.
Yukon, Oklahoma, Council Meeting on Beltline Energy Data Center Draws Crowd Demanding Mayor's Resignation
The Yukon City Council met to discuss a proposed agreement with Beltline Energy for a data center project, according to News 9 and FOX 25. The meeting drew large public attendance after weeks of vocal opposition from residents. As reported by KOCO 5, attendees demanded the mayor's resignation over the controversial plan.
A recall petition against Mayor Brian Pillmore and former Vice Mayor Jeff Wooten, filed in response to the proposed Beltline Energy agreement, was due this week, with organizers tasked with collecting 2,000 signatures within 30 days. KOCO 5 described the session as the first public test for a newly restructured council. Beltline Energy is also pursuing data center projects in Piedmont and Luther, Oklahoma, where officials recently approved a moratorium on data center development.
Yukon City Council set to discuss proposed Beltline Energy data center project
News 9
Restructured Yukon City Council faces first public test over $1B data center project
KOCO 5 News
Yukon City Council Meeting on Proposed Data Center
KOKH - FOX 25
Yukon City Council meeting to discuss proposed data center Tuesday
KOKH - FOX 25
‘Shame on you!’: Yukon crowd demands mayor resigns over controversial data center plan
KOCO 5 News
Broken Bow, Nebraska, Moves Toward Data Center Moratorium, Postpones Zoning Vote
The Broken Bow Planning Commission held a public hearing on proposed zoning ordinance amendments for data centers, drawing approximately 50-60 residents, according to the Custer County Chief, Rural Radio Network, and Sandhills Express. City staff announced they would recommend a six-month moratorium to the City Council on new data center development, prompted by an inquiry from an unnamed data center operator following media coverage of the city's proposed ordinance.
The draft ordinance includes strict requirements for facilities drawing over 65 kilowatts:
- Conditional use permits required
- Noise limits of 55 dBA / 70 dBC near residences
- Prohibition on continuous freshwater consumption for cooling
- Setbacks of up to half a mile for dry-air cooled facilities
- Mandatory FBI background checks for corporate officers
- Operators responsible for 100% of municipal infrastructure upgrades
- Three-month utility deposit required
Residents raised concerns about strain on electrical infrastructure, utility cost increases, groundwater usage, and noise impacts, as reported by Rural Radio Network. The commission unanimously voted to postpone action on the ordinance to allow more time for review. At least two more public meetings are planned before the refined ordinance is forwarded to the City Council.
Crowd packs Planning Commission meeting over data centers
Custer County Chief
Broken Bow Data Center Rules Put on Hold as City Moves Toward Moratorium
Rural Radio Network
City Commission Introduces Data Center Rules, Hears Public Input
Sandhills Express
Broken Bow, Nebraska, Considers Data Center Moratorium, Postpones Zoning Vote
Rural Radio Network