Daily Digest — July 14, 2026
New York Governor Signs First-in-Nation Statewide Data Center Moratorium
Governor Kathy Hochul has signed an executive order imposing a statewide moratorium on large-scale data center development in New York, making it the first state to enact such a measure, according to Spectrum News NY1 and Axios. The executive order takes effect immediately and halts the permitting process for up to one year.
The moratorium specifically targets data centers requiring 50 megawatts of energy or more, as reported by Spectrum News NY1. During the pause, state regulators will study environmental impacts and develop new regulatory standards, particularly around energy and water consumption.
According to the New York Post, the moratorium applies to new air permits for "hyperscale" data centers and will be lifted once new standards are finalized. The governor has proposed that operators in the 50-megawatt-plus category either pay a premium for increased energy supply or generate their own power. The Post noted that the executive order falls short of a more comprehensive proposal previously passed by the state legislature, which included prevailing wage standards for union labor and renewable energy sourcing mandates.
- **Scope:** Statewide, targeting facilities requiring 50+ MW
- **Duration:** Up to one year
- **Mechanism:** Pause on new air permits
- **Next steps:** State regulators to conduct environmental study and develop new standards
N.Y. Gov. Kathy Hochul signs data center moratorium executive order
Axios
Hochul enacts first statewide data center moratorium
Spectrum News NY1
New York to impose nation’s first statewide data center moratorium, Hochul orders
Syracuse.com
Gov. Kathy Hochul orders election year ‘pause’ on new large-scale data centers to power AI in NY
New York Post
Congressman Riley Introduces FAIR Data Act to Address Utility Cost Concerns in New York
Congressman Josh Riley (NY-19) introduced the FAIR Data Act on July 13, bipartisan legislation aimed at preventing data center projects from increasing energy bills for Upstate New York residents and small businesses, according to The River Reporter. The bill seeks to ensure that large corporate customers developing data centers pay for necessary grid upgrades rather than utility ratepayers.
The legislation responds to specific data center proposals within Riley's district, including TeraWulf's planned 300-400 MW AI data center at the former Cayuga Power Plant in Lansing and Eco-Yotta's rezoning request for an AI data center in Oneonta. Both projects have faced local opposition. The River Reporter noted that utilities nationwide requested over $29 billion in rate increases in the first half of 2025.
Indianapolis Advances Data Center Moratorium Through December 2027
The Indianapolis City-County Council's Metropolitan and Economic Development Committee voted 10-3 to advance a moratorium on new data centers through December 31, 2027, according to WFYI. Council President Maggie Lewis introduced the amendment to provide time for comprehensive zoning regulations to be developed. The committee also approved a new special zoning class for data centers.
The moratorium now proceeds to the full City-County Council for a vote scheduled for August 10. Both the Department of Metropolitan Development staff and Mayor Joe Hogsett have voiced support for the proposed pause, as reported by WFYI. Councilors Michael-Paul Hart and Derek Cahill raised concerns about the lack of a specific definition for data centers in the current wording.
The committee vote followed protests by residents who argued the proposed zoning rules do not go far enough to regulate data centers, as reported by WTHR and IndyStar.
- **Moratorium duration:** Through December 31, 2027
- **Committee vote:** 10-3 to recommend approval
- **Full council vote:** Scheduled August 10
- **Pending project:** DC Blox variance change request set for July 15 development commission vote (separate from moratorium)
Indianapolis Officials Recommend $56M Tax Incentive for Martindale Brightwood Data Center
Indianapolis economic development officials are recommending up to $56 million in tax incentives for Metrobloks, a Los Angeles-based developer proposing a data center campus in the Martindale Brightwood neighborhood, according to IndyStar. Future tenants could receive an additional estimated $339 million in tax savings. The Metropolitan Development Commission is scheduled to consider the package on July 15.
The Department of Metropolitan Development stated that the $250 million construction project and $406 million equipment investment "would not be economically feasible" without the abatements. Metrobloks' attorney said the company would target small businesses, hospitals, banks, and schools as tenants rather than large tech or AI companies. The project would generate a projected $1.4 billion increase in the site's tax base and create 35 jobs.
This marks the first public data center tax break proposal in Indianapolis following debates last year. The project faces a lawsuit filed in May by Martindale Brightwood residents seeking to halt the development in the historically Black neighborhood, as reported by IndyStar.
Nashville Pursues Eminent Domain for DC Blox Data Center Site; Council Passes Moratorium and Size Restrictions
Nashville Mayor Freddie O'Connell's administration has filed legislation to acquire the Grassmere Park property near the Nashville Zoo through eminent domain, citing a need for municipal facilities due to FAA-approved Nashville International Airport runway expansion, according to FOX Nashville. The property is currently the proposed site for a DC Blox data center that has drawn widespread public opposition.
The Metro Council approved the first reading of an ordinance authorizing condemnation proceedings, as reported by FOX Nashville. Metro Law Director Wally Dietz confirmed that Tennessee's eminent domain law permits property acquisition for public use and said the city is prepared to defend the action in court. The DC Blox project also faces an appeal before the Board of Zoning Appeals scheduled for next month.
Separately, the Metro Council passed two bills on July 7 restricting data center development, as reported by The Tennessean:
- A ban on data centers larger than 50,000 square feet
- A temporary moratorium on all new data center development in Davidson County
Over 245 people waited to speak during the public comment period, which lasted until nearly 1 a.m.
AI and Data Center Company Employees Donate Over $100K to Blackburn Gubernatorial Campaign
Campaign finance reports show that employees of Anthropic and Oracle have donated more than $100,000 to Senator Marsha Blackburn's Tennessee gubernatorial campaign, according to WKRN News 2. Anthropic employees contributed $53,000 within days of each other, and Oracle employees alongside its chairman donated over $50,000. Many of the donors reportedly reside outside Tennessee.
The donations come as Oracle advances its Nashville campus development. Blackburn has publicly supported data centers as a component of Tennessee's economic growth. Her Republican opponents, Congressman John Rose and State Representative Monty Fritts, did not receive comparable donations from employees of either company, as reported by WKRN.
Cass County, Nebraska Planning Commission Approves Data Center Moratorium
The Cass County Planning Commission approved a recommended 18-month moratorium on data center development following a meeting where over 100 residents expressed opposition, according to KETV and KOLN. The commission also recommended a new zoning ordinance establishing regulations for data center siting and operations and requested a third-party study on how other counties have implemented similar measures.
The action follows energy company Tenaska's proposed partnership with Google to construct a 2,000-acre natural gas power plant and data center on 1,354 acres in Cass County, as reported by KETV. The resident group "Cass County Data Center Watch" led opposition efforts, citing concerns over water usage, farmland loss, and utility costs for family farmers. State Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh supported the moratorium, referencing her recently passed state legislation requiring data center companies to negotiate community benefits.
The recommendations now advance to the Cass County Board of Commissioners for final action. Neighboring Otoe, Gage, and Seward counties have already enacted data center moratoriums, as noted by KMTV.
Cass County residents push back on proposed data center amid water, farmland concerns
First Alert 6
Cass County Planning Commission approves moratorium on data center development
KETV
Cass County considers moratorium on data centers amid concerns from neighbors about farmland loss, water use
KMTV 3 News Now
Cass County residents gather in opposition of potential data centers coming to their area
KOLN | Nebraska Local News, Weather, Sports | Lincoln, NE
Group proposes pause in Cass County data center development
KETV NewsWatch 7
Federal Judge Orders Wilmington, Ohio to Redo Amazon Data Center Ordinances; Ballot Initiative Filed
A federal judge has ordered Wilmington, Ohio to re-ratify ordinances related to a proposed Amazon data center after ruling that three previously passed ordinances violated Ohio's open meeting laws, according to LOCAL 12. The ruling prevents the city from acting on the data center's site plan until the flawed ordinances are properly re-enacted. The court also ordered that the public must have unrestricted ability to speak, bring legal counsel, present expert testimony, and cross-examine applicants during future hearings.
Separately, Wilmington resident Quintin Koger Kidd submitted 524 petition signatures to place data center regulations on the November ballot, as reported by FOX19. The proposed ballot measure would establish noise limits, chemical disclosure requirements, emergency services funding, and a conditional use permit process. The measure requires 321 valid registered voter signatures to qualify.
The petition effort stems from concerns that the city withheld information from residents during zoning changes facilitating the proposed $4 billion Amazon data center. The board of elections will review the submitted signatures.
