Daily Digest — July 22, 2026
Ohio Lawmakers Target Rising Energy Costs Linked to Data Center Demand
Ohio legislators have introduced both state and federal bills aimed at curbing rising electricity costs that have been partly attributed to data center proliferation. According to NBC4 WCMH-TV, State Representative Desiree Tims (D-Dayton) introduced House Bill 970, which would:
- Prevent the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) from approving any new rate increases for one year
- Prohibit new "riders" or additional charges on consumer bills
Separately, U.S. Senator Jon Husted (R-Ohio) introduced the Ratepayer Protection Act at the federal level, which would require states to consider implementing standards and restrictions for connecting large energy consumers — including data centers — to the electrical grid. If passed, states and utility boards would have two years to develop recommendations, potentially requiring large users to pay for their own generation and transmission. AEP Ohio confirmed that increased demand from the state's nearly 200 data center projects has driven up generation costs passed on to consumers. These measures follow Gov. Mike DeWine's indefinite pause on Ohio's data center tax exemptions.
Ohio EPA Withdraws Proposed General Permit for Data Center Water Discharge
The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency has decided not to proceed with a proposed general permit plan for data center water discharge, as reported by multiple outlets including 10TV and NBC4 WCMH-TV. The decision means a proposed statewide regulatory framework for data center water discharge will not be implemented. The permit withdrawal represents a shift in the state's approach to environmental regulation of data center operations, though the specific reasons for the decision and any alternative regulatory plans were not detailed in the reporting.
Henderson Rejects Data Center Moratorium, Directs Staff to Revise Development Code
The Henderson, Nevada City Council voted against implementing a proposed 180-day moratorium on new data center applications, instead directing city staff to develop permanent code changes and individualized development agreement frameworks. According to The Nevada Independent, Mayor Michelle Romero — who initially proposed the moratorium — stated that staff will now focus on comprehensive licensing regulations.
The decision came after nearly two hours of public comment, as reported by News 3 Las Vegas. Residents raised concerns about:
- Water usage
- Power demand and grid strain
- Noise pollution
- Environmental and wildlife impacts
City attorney Nicholas Vaskov explained that code changes would provide a more enduring solution than a temporary moratorium. The Sierra Club Toiyabe Chapter expressed disappointment. There are currently no pending data center applications before the council. Per 8 News Now, officials noted that an existing Google data center, approved in 2019, was sanctioned under conditions that would not be approved today. Neighboring jurisdictions including Boulder City and Clark County are also considering new data center regulations.
Council considering pause on new data centers in Henderson today
ktnv.com
Henderson to revise data center rules instead of approving moratorium
News 3 Las Vegas
Henderson rejects data center moratorium, instead exploring code changes
The Nevada Independent
Henderson changes data center applications
8 News Now — Las Vegas
Charlestown, Indiana Planning Commission Advances $105M Data Center Over Community Opposition
The Charlestown Advisory Plan Commission voted 4-3 to advance a roughly 55,000-square-foot, $105 million data center proposal for the city's Shadow Lake Business Park, according to Louisville Public Media. The decision followed a standing-room-only meeting with close to 90 minutes of public testimony, as reported by WDRB News.
Residents voiced concerns about water and energy usage, noise, ecological disruption, and impacts on the surrounding neighborhood. A petition with over 800 signatures — representing close to 10% of Charlestown's population — was presented in opposition. Developers Qlever LLC and ION Louis LLC stated the facility would:
- Use up to 5 megawatts of electricity
- Employ a closed-loop water cooling system
The approval came with stipulations including an eight-foot berm with trees, blasting surveys, and an environmental study. Charlestown is also updating its Unified Development Code and considering a moratorium on new data centers, though future regulations would not apply to this project.
Florida Gubernatorial Race Spotlights Data Center Moratorium Debate
Democratic gubernatorial candidate David Jolly has called for a statewide moratorium on new data center construction in Florida, according to Spectrum Bay News 9 and The Capitolist. Jolly stated that development should be paused until the state adopts stronger environmental, economic, and privacy safeguards, and accused Republican candidate Byron Donalds of favoring industry interests, citing nearly $5 million in data center industry support for Donalds' political efforts.
Donalds responded that Gov. DeSantis's existing Senate Bill 484 already provides protections for water and the power grid and that he would maintain the law if elected, as reported by Politico.
Separately, former U.S. Senator Kyrsten Sinema, now co-chair of the AI Infrastructure Coalition, addressed data center concerns in the Tampa Bay region, according to 10 Tampa Bay News. She argued that new data centers use less water than a restaurant. Nevertheless, four Tampa Bay–area counties — Citrus, Hernando, Pasco, and Sarasota — have already approved moratoriums, and three additional municipalities are considering similar measures.
Fishback residency hearing; Jolly on data centers
Spectrum Bay News 9
Tampa Bay Area Counties Enact Data Center Moratoriums Amid Environmental Concerns
10 Tampa Bay News
Dem front-runner in Florida governor race pushes for data center moratorium
Politico
David Jolly Calls for Statewide Halt on New Data Center Construction
The Capitolist