Daily Digest — August 3, 2026
Bexar County Faces Environmental Complaints and Regulatory Push Amid Data Center Boom
Bexar County, Texas, now hosts over 30 operational data centers with 23 more planned, according to the San Antonio Report. On July 22, Public Citizen, the Sierra Club, and the Environmental Integrity Project filed a complaint against Vantage Data Centers and VoltaGrid, alleging that natural gas power plants generating 423 megawatts at two San Antonio data centers are operating under minor source air quality permits when major source permits are required. The complaint cites risks of increased emissions of nitrous oxides, volatile organic compounds, and formaldehyde.
The Greater Edwards Aquifer Alliance has published recommendations calling on state and local governments to:
- Require transparency in data center development
- Invest in water and energy infrastructure
- Repeal data center tax incentives
- Charge impact fees
- Allow county-level land use governance
The City of San Antonio has convened stakeholders to discuss regulation, and council members are debating amendments to the Unified Development Code. Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones has called for expediting regulatory updates. Separately, the City of Harlingen has enacted a 120-day moratorium on data center construction.
In a related commentary published by the San Antonio Express-News, San Antonio City Council Member Marc Whyte argued the city should establish clear standards for data center locations, including appropriate buffers, thoughtful zoning, and close coordination with utilities. Governor Greg Abbott has directed state regulators to ensure future data center developments include adequate power generation and water conservation measures.
Pittsburg, California Residents Rally Against AVAIO Digital Data Center
Residents of Pittsburg, California, are intensifying opposition to AVAIO Digital's planned 76-acre, 99-megawatt "Perseus" data center campus on a former golf course, according to KQED. A special city council meeting has been scheduled to discuss data center policy amid growing public pushback. The city council approved Phase 1 of the project in 2024, but a coalition called "Stop Pittsburg Data Center" has mobilized in recent months.
The Center for Biological Diversity previously sued the city over the project, reaching a late-2025 settlement that mandates 100% renewable energy and recycled water for cooling. City Manager Darin Gale has stated the final project will use significantly less water than the former golf course. Nearby cities including Oakley and Brentwood have explored or enacted temporary bans on data center facilities.
As reported by the Daily Mail, a Change.org petition against the project has gathered over 26,000 signatures. Residents have accused the city council of misrepresenting the project by initially describing it as a "technical park." AVAIO Digital has pledged to use recycled water, though community members have questioned the viability of that commitment given California's drought history.
Ames, Iowa City Council Imposes Nine-Month Delay on Lightedge Data Center
The Ames City Council has confirmed a nine-month delay on a final decision regarding a proposed 10.86-acre Lightedge data center, according to the Iowa State Daily. The delay, confirmed at a July 28 meeting, follows a public listening session on June 30 where 81% of attendees opposed the development.
The Heart of Iowa Chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America organized a protest on July 14 and has been a leading voice in the opposition. The group's membership and outreach coordinator, Aaron Lynch, noted that Lightedge's proposal would consume nearly three times the electricity of Ames' largest current consumer. The DSA hopes the research period will lead the council to exercise its confirmed legal authority to ban data centers within city limits — a measure supported by 78% of their petition signers.
Lubbock, Texas Residents Push for Data Center Moratorium, Threaten Council Recall
Residents in Lubbock, Texas, are opposing the city council's approval of an 8-acre annexation and 52-acre industrial rezoning, fearing the actions pave the way for data center development, according to The Cool Down. Community members have begun circulating a petition for an 18-month moratorium on data centers, and activist Phyllis Gant has warned council members that residents would pursue a recall.
City leaders and Lubbock Economic Development Alliance (LEDA) President John Osborne deny the rezoned land is specifically for data centers, citing its suitability for manufacturing. However, a local TV report revealed a partnership between LEDA and CORVA for a separate 50,000-square-foot inference data center in East Lubbock. Organizers have indicated that if the council rejects the moratorium proposal, they aim to place the issue on the November ballot.
Lowell, Massachusetts Residents Sue to Block Markley Group Data Center Expansion
Residents in Lowell, Massachusetts, have filed a lawsuit in Middlesex Superior Court seeking to halt the Markley Group's expansion of its 352,000-square-foot data center, as reported by The Cool Down. The plaintiffs, whose homes are located feet from the site, argue the planned addition of diesel backup generators and cooling equipment would increase noise and pollution. Their attorney, Stephanie Safdi, contends that MassDEP issued an air-quality permit without allowing the community a proper hearing.
Residents further allege that MassDEP entered a consent order with Markley while the permit appeal was still active. Markley CEO Jeff Markley has noted that city officials approved a larger 31-generator plan a decade ago, and the current site has only 23 generators. Lowell recently enacted a one-year moratorium on new data centers, though it does not apply to the existing Markley site. The Healey administration has also paused a proposal for statewide data center tax breaks.
