Daily Digest — September 9, 2026
Massachusetts Governor Signs Executive Order Blocking Large Data Centers Without Local Approval
Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey signed an executive order on Tuesday that effectively bars new data centers with peak electricity demand exceeding 25 megawatts from receiving state permits unless they secure local approval and comply with new state guidelines, according to the Boston Globe. The order requires developers to enter community benefits agreements with host municipalities, fund necessary energy infrastructure, and procure enough clean electricity to match their annual consumption — or contribute to a "Ratepayer Protection Fund" to offset electricity costs for consumers.
The executive order also bans non-disclosure agreements between state agencies and data center developers during the permitting process, as reported by the Boston Herald. Key provisions include:
- Local municipal approval required before state permitting can proceed
- Developers must bring their own clean energy supply or pay into a ratepayer fund
- Water resource protections and air quality standards must be met
- Community benefits agreements are mandatory
The order is expected to affect a multibillion-dollar, 274-megawatt data center proposed by Servistar Realties in Westfield. Local moratoriums are already in place in Westfield, Lowell, and Holyoke, while New Bedford's mayor has proposed a complete ban on data center development, per the Boston Herald.
Reactions were mixed. Markley Group CEO Jeff Markley expressed support for consistent statewide standards, and the New England Power Generators Association acknowledged the need for clear siting guidelines, according to WHDH. The Massachusetts Building Trades Union voiced support for data centers as important to the state's knowledge-based economy. However, residents in Lowell are currently suing to block the expansion of a Markley data center, citing noise, dust, and emissions concerns, as reported by CBS News. Republican gubernatorial nominee Michael Minogue criticized data center expansion as increasing costs for existing ratepayers. The Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance accused the governor of inconsistency, arguing she is prioritizing local approval for data centers while allegedly diminishing local authority on solar and battery storage projects.
Massachusetts Governor Healey Signs Executive Order Regulating New Data Center Development
bostonglobe.com
Gov. Healey signs executive order on new Massachusetts data centers: "We're giving communities full voice"
CBS News
Gov. Maura Healey signs executive order requiring local approval for data center development
Boston Herald
Healey signs order requiring data centers to receive local approval - Boston News, Weather, Sports
WHDH
Healey to make announcement on data centers in Mass. this afternoon
NBC Boston
Chillicothe, Ohio Council Hears Data Center Proposal Amid Moratorium and Transparency Concerns
Chillicothe City Council held a public review session where Ohio-based Alignment Engine presented plans to convert a portion of the former Chillicothe Paper Mill into a data center and circuit board manufacturing facility, according to WBNS 10TV. The company described the project as a $500 million investment promising 240 permanent jobs, stating it would not seek property tax abatements and would utilize the mill's existing power, wells, and wastewater treatment systems.
The presentation took place under a 60-day moratorium on new data centers enacted unanimously by the city council as emergency legislation, as reported by WKKJ. The moratorium was triggered after a presumed data center project was announced for the site — owned by John Todoroki and U.S. Paper Mill LLC — with limited communication to the city.
Transparency has been a central concern. WSYX ABC 6 reported that City Councilman Gunnar Barnes declined to sign a non-disclosure agreement to tour the site, stating he was "elected by the people, not by companies." An email later claimed the NDA request was a mistake, though Barnes said he had been told in person that a full tour required signing it.
Resident reactions were mixed: some supported the job creation and reuse of the former mill site, while others raised concerns about water usage, noise, pollution, and who would bear the financial burden of additional infrastructure demands. A statewide initiative called "Conserve Ohio" is separately collecting signatures to amend the Ohio Constitution to limit new data center sizes, per WKKJ.
Proposed data center at former Chillicothe paper mill draws support, concerns
WBNS 10TV
Chillicothe demands transparency as data center details emerge amid NDA scandal
WSYX ABC 6
Data Center Developer to Present at Chillicothe Council Review Session Tonight
WKKJ
Community gets chance to ask about new data center in Chillicothe
Chillicothe Gazette
Chillicothe City Council hears plans for data center
WBNS 10TV
Hermantown, Minnesota Google Data Center Debate Intensifies at Council Meeting
A Hermantown City Council meeting was dominated by public debate over a proposed Google data center, despite the project not appearing on the official agenda, according to WDIO. Over two dozen residents spoke during the public comment period, with critics citing potential harm to the local environment, water, trout streams, and wildlife. The session briefly recessed due to disputes over decorum.
Critics accused city leadership of rushing the process and ignoring community input, with some calling for a moratorium or more thorough environmental reviews. Supporters argued the data center represents an opportunity for economic diversification in a region historically reliant on mining and shipping, bringing private investment and jobs.
Separately, the council unanimously approved up to $20,000 for a consultant to facilitate government-to-government discussions with tribal entities regarding the project, as reported by Northern News Now.
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has also formally raised concerns about the project's Alternative Urban Areawide Review (AUAR), citing "information gaps, an incomplete alternatives analysis, lack of defined mitigation, and inaccurate descriptions of agency roles" in an August 25 letter, per the Duluth News Tribune. The "Stop The Hermantown Data Center" group is urging the council to reject the AUAR in favor of a more rigorous Environmental Impact Statement. Hermantown officials confirmed meetings with the DNR have taken place to address the comments, and the council is expected to consider the updated AUAR this fall.
Southern Nevada Jurisdictions Pursue Varied Approaches to Data Center Regulation
Southern Nevada jurisdictions are pursuing a range of regulatory approaches to data center development, according to a comprehensive report by KTNV. Key developments by jurisdiction:
- **Boulder City:** Residents successfully appealed a BLM-approved land swap for a proposed data center, receiving a temporary stay from the Department of Interior's Board of Land Appeals. Voters will decide in November whether data centers should be an allowed land use in the 100,000-acre Eldorado Valley Transfer Area.
- **Nye County:** Enacted a ban on data centers in Hydrographic Basin 162 (including Pahrump), directly impacting Gigawatt Development's 900-acre Manse Technology Campus. Commissioners are developing regulations for other areas.
- **Clark County:** The Zoning Commission approved a Switch campus expansion despite public opposition, without taking further regulatory steps.
- **Henderson:** The City Council opted for mandatory development agreements with data center developers rather than a moratorium proposed by the mayor.
At the state level, Senator Nicole Cannizzaro (D-Las Vegas) has requested a bill draft for data center regulation in 2027, while Senator Dina Neal (D-Clark County) has requested legislation to repeal data center tax abatements and impose a statewide moratorium. The issue has become prominent in upcoming midterm elections.
Separately, Carson Now reported that the state's review of its data center tax break program — which has granted an estimated $461 million in property and sales tax abatements to 14 data centers since 2015 — is proceeding largely without input from county governments. Twelve of Nevada's 17 counties have not been consulted, despite their role in zoning and permitting. Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford has proposed pausing the program for audits.
Oregon Governor Pauses Data Center Projects on State Land, Calls for Legislative Moratorium
Oregon Governor Tina Kotek issued an order directing state agencies to halt unapproved land sales, easements, leases, and permits for new data centers on state-owned land, with the pause set to remain in effect through July 2027, according to KATU News and Nonstop Local News. The governor stated that broader authority for a statewide moratorium beyond state-owned land would require legislative action and called on the legislature to pass such a measure, as reported by the Statesman Journal.
The action followed protests at the Oregon Capitol where activists called for a broader statewide moratorium. Republican gubernatorial candidate Christine Drazan also called for a moratorium, though she argued the governor already possesses the authority to enact one without the legislature, per OregonLive. Demonstrators at the Capitol want the governor to go further than the state-land-only pause, according to the Oregon Capital Chronicle.
At the local level, several Oregon cities are taking parallel steps:
- Hillsboro previously issued a 120-day temporary moratorium to review policies
- Salem is exploring a 60- or 120-day moratorium and has formed a data center task force
- Portland City Council is considering a resolution urging the mayor against broad NDAs for data center projects
The state previously passed the "POWER Act," reclassifying data centers for electricity billing, and enacted a one-year moratorium on new data center tax breaks.
Oregon data center debate: Governor Kotek orders pause on state land as lawmakers consider new rules
KATU News
Gov. Kotek pauses data centers on state land. Capitol demonstrators want her to go further.
Oregon Capital Chronicle
Oregon pauses state land deals for data center projects
Nonstop Local News
Kotek, Drazan each call for Oregon data center moratorium
OregonLive.com
Gov. Tina Kotek says legislature should pass statewide data center moratorium
Statesman Journal