Daily Digest — July 13, 2026
Indianapolis Faces Data Center Moratorium Debate as Residents Rally Against DC BLOX Project
Residents in the Irvington neighborhood on Indianapolis's east side are mounting organized opposition to a proposed DC BLOX data center planned for the former Ford plant site off South Kitley Avenue. According to WTHR, the group "Eastside Community Action" has collected over 3,000 petition signatures and rallied at the Irvington Farmers' Market, with residents citing concerns about energy prices, water usage, and the loss of the neighborhood's historical character.
Indianapolis-Marion County City-County Council President Maggie Lewis announced plans to introduce a moratorium on new data center approvals, as reported by WTHR. The proposal was scheduled for discussion on Monday, while the Metropolitan Development Commission's final hearing on a zoning variance for the DC BLOX project was set for Wednesday. The City-County Council's Metropolitan and Economic Development Committee was also set to review the Metropolitan Development Commission's proposed zoning framework for data centers, according to WTHR.
Separately, an IndyStar opinion piece criticized the enacted moratorium as an inadequate response to the underlying issues at stake.
Nashville Mayor Pursues Eminent Domain at Contested DC Blox Data Center Site
Nashville Mayor Freddie O'Connell's administration is moving to acquire the Grassmere Park property near the Nashville Zoo through eminent domain, according to WZTV. The site is where DC Blox has proposed a data center that has drawn significant public opposition, including a petition with over half a million signatures.
The mayor stated the eminent domain action is driven by the FAA's approval of Nashville International Airport's runway expansion, which requires relocation of Metro facilities. City officials cited Grassmere Park as the best location for future municipal offices, warehouses, and potentially a health clinic.
The Nashville Zoo and a Metro Council member have filed appeals to block DC Blox's zoning permit. The Metro Council has also advanced three measures, including:
- A proposed temporary pause on new data center developments
- Legislation to establish future regulations for data center facilities
Virginia Protesters Demand Statewide Data Center Moratorium
Protesters gathered in Richmond to call for a statewide moratorium on new data center approvals in Virginia, which currently hosts the highest concentration of data centers globally. According to WSET, demonstrators cited concerns about environmental impacts, strain on the electric grid, and rising utility costs for residents.
The rally was fueled in part by Botetourt County's recent approval of a proposed Google data center. Activist Katherine Hattam, a Botetourt County native and member of the Southwest Virginia Data Center Transparency Alliance, criticized Google's pledge of $4 million in community grants as insufficient, as reported by WSET. Protesters called for a pause on all future approvals until stronger statewide regulations are implemented.
Marana, Arizona Data Centers Become Central Issue in Town Council Race
Data center development has become a defining issue in the Marana Town Council election, according to the Arizona Daily Star. Five candidates are competing for four seats, with a coalition called "Marana for the People" challenging incumbents over the council's unanimous January vote to rezone 600 acres of farmland for a hyperscale data center campus by Beale Infrastructure.
Opposition candidates have raised concerns about the project's estimated power demands of 1,100 to 1,500 megawatts and are advocating for a moratorium until long-term impacts can be studied. The town passed a 2024 ordinance restricting potable water use and setting noise limits for data centers, but challengers argue it is insufficient for hyperscale facilities.
A legal challenge is also underway. A judge previously upheld the town's rejection of a referendum petition on the rezoning, but candidates Jackie McGuire and Sue Ritz have appealed to the Arizona Court of Appeals, with oral arguments scheduled for August 19.
Emporia, Kansas Petition Drive Against Data Center Restarts After Invalidation
Emporia Neighbors United has relaunched its petition campaign to ban hyperscale data centers within Emporia city limits after the initial submission of nearly 1,400 signatures was invalidated on procedural grounds. According to KVOE, Lyon County officials rejected the first petition because circulators failed to properly verify they witnessed signatures being gathered and lacked notarized affirmation.
The group reported collecting approximately 450 new signatures within the first 24 hours of relaunching, as reported by the Emporia Gazette. They need at least 804 validated signatures to compel the Emporia City Commission to either adopt the proposed ordinance or place it on the November ballot.
Key dates ahead:
- The Emporia City Commission's July 22 meeting, where commissioners are expected to address a new Digital Infrastructure zoning overlay, rezoning of 11 tracts for the Flint Hills Digital Campus, and new policies for large-volume water and wastewater users
- City commissioners and the city manager are also slated to attend a summit in Topeka focused on the impacts of large-load developments
