Alliant Energy

Data Center Signal is tracking 52 clips about Alliant Energy data center developments across 4 states, including WI, IA, DC, LA.

52Clips

4States

States

Topics

government94%

electricity94%

environmental56%

opposition42%

zoning27%

water23%

announcement13%

moratorium13%

legal10%

News ClipKCRG·Cedar Rapids, Linn County, IA

Cedar Rapids mayor defends data center projects amid kickback claims, NDA questions

Cedar Rapids Mayor Tiffany O’Donnell is defending the city's support for two hyperscale data centers, including projects by Google and QTS, amid claims of kickbacks and concerns about water use and utility rates. She highlighted the $25 million in annual property tax revenue during the incentive period, which will rise to $55 million, and cited a third-party study confirming sufficient water capacity. O'Donnell also clarified that nondisclosure agreements were signed by city economic development staff, not council members, and denied kickback accusations.

zoning opposition environmental government electricity water

Google QTS

7/24/2026

News Clip1:291290 WJNO·Richland County, LA

Trump highlights economic benefits of data center projects in Iowa and Louisiana

President Trump highlighted significant economic benefits from data center projects, including $16 billion in cost offsets from American Electric Power contracts, frozen electricity rates in Iowa due to Alliant Energy deals, and $50,000 teacher bonuses in Louisiana's Richland Parish, linked to a $27 billion Meta project that also saves local residents on electricity bills.

electricity government

Trump highlights data center construction, economic benefits at White House event

During a White House event, former President Donald Trump delivered a speech highlighting his administration's purported role in boosting data center construction. He cited examples from Georgia, Iowa, and Louisiana's Richland Parish, where data centers reportedly led to property tax elimination, frozen electricity rates, and teacher bonuses. Trump criticized the Biden administration and claimed he received insufficient credit for these economic achievements.

announcement government electricity zoning

Google

7/23/2026

News ClipKTIV·Washington, District of Columbia County, DC

Trump Administration Unveils Pledge to Protect Ratepayers from Data Center Electricity Costs

The Trump administration introduced a "Ratepayer Protection Pledge" to prevent AI and data center power demands from increasing residential electricity rates. This voluntary initiative mandates that tech companies negotiate premium rates to cover new power infrastructure costs. Key signatories include major tech companies, utilities, and state governors, such as Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen.

electricity government

Google Microsoft Meta OpenAI Amazon

7/23/2026

News ClipSpectrum News·Washington, District of Columbia County, DC

Trump touts tech company pledges to pay for data eenters' electricity

Former President Donald Trump expanded the voluntary Ratepayer Protection Pledge, an initiative where tech companies agree to fund or build their own electricity generation for AI data centers to prevent rising consumer costs. The pledge has garnered commitments from major tech companies and utilities, though critics note its nonbinding nature. This comes amidst varied state responses to data center growth, including New York's temporary ban and debates on moratoriums in other states.

electricity government moratorium opposition

Google Microsoft Meta Oracle xAI OpenAI Amazon

7/23/2026

News ClipSpectrum News·Washington, District of Columbia County, DC

Trump touts tech company pledges to pay for data centers' electricity

President Donald Trump announced the expansion of the Ratepayer Protection Pledge, a voluntary initiative where tech companies agree to fund or build their own electricity infrastructure for data centers. The pledge aims to prevent rising electricity costs for consumers due to the rapid growth of AI data centers. Several major tech companies have committed to the pledge, although critics question its effectiveness due to its nonbinding nature.

electricity government environmental opposition

Google Microsoft Meta Oracle xAI OpenAI Amazon

7/23/2026

News ClipCorridor Business Journal·Linn County, IA

Alliant Energy files rezoning application for proposed Morgan Valley Energy Center, as opposition continues to organize

Alliant Energy has filed a rezoning application with Linn County, Iowa, for its proposed Morgan Valley Energy Center, a natural gas power plant. This filing is a step in the regulatory process that will involve public input and review. Meanwhile, a grassroots opposition group continues to organize, citing environmental concerns and the plant's potential role in powering data centers.

electricity zoning opposition environmental government water

7/16/2026

News ClipPierce County Journal·WI

Wisconsin data centers to be major political issue, driving energy demand spike

Data center development is emerging as a significant bipartisan political issue in Wisconsin, driven by its impact on energy use and rates. A state Public Service Commission report projects a 40% jump in peak power demand by 2032, largely due to hyperscale data centers. Utilities are planning substantial natural gas additions to meet this demand, while assuring customers that data centers will cover associated costs.

electricity government environmental

Microsoft

7/15/2026

News ClipWXPR·Oneida County, WI

Draft report shows data centers could dramatically increase electric demand in Wisconsin

A draft report by the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin projects a over 40% increase in the state's electricity demand by 2032, primarily driven by three hyperscale data center projects from Microsoft, Oracle, and Meta. Meanwhile, the Oneida County Planning and Development Committee has advanced a proposed interim moratorium on data centers due to concerns about water and electricity consumption, noise, and pollution.

electricity environmental government moratorium

Microsoft Oracle Meta

7/14/2026

News Clipapg-wi.com·WI

Wis. energy demand to rise 40% by 2032, driven by data centers, draft report finds

A new draft report by Wisconsin's state utility regulators projects that electricity demand in the state will increase by over 40% by 2032, primarily driven by three hyperscale data center developments belonging to Microsoft, Oracle, and Meta. This surge will necessitate significant infrastructure development, raising concerns among consumer advocates and environmental groups about costs to ratepayers and climate impact. The Public Service Commission of Wisconsin is holding an online hearing on the draft report in August.

electricity environmental government

Microsoft Oracle Meta

7/13/2026

News ClipKYOU-TV·Ottumwa, Wapello County, IA

SE Iowa data center discussions underway as counties work toward ordinances

Two counties in southeast Iowa, Wapello and Jefferson, are proactively working to establish data center ordinances to manage future development. While Wapello County has ruled out a moratorium, both counties aim to have regulations in place soon, with Jefferson County expressing specific concerns about agricultural land preservation and water resource protection for the Jordan Aquifer.

zoning government moratorium environmental water electricity

7/9/2026

News ClipUrban Milwaukee·WI

Data Centers Could Hike Wisconsin Energy Demand by 40% by 2032

A draft report by the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin projects a more than 40% increase in state electricity demand by 2032, primarily driven by three hyperscale data center projects from Microsoft, Oracle, and Meta. While utilities assert they can meet this demand through diversified energy generation, environmental groups and consumer advocates raise concerns about potential costs for ratepayers and increased reliance on fossil fuels. The report underscores the significant impact data center development will have on Wisconsin's energy landscape.

electricity environmental government

Microsoft Oracle Meta

7/7/2026

News ClipSuperior Telegram·WI

Report: State energy demand to rise 40%, driven by data centers

A new draft report by Wisconsin utility regulators indicates that the state's electricity demand could increase by over 40% by 2032, primarily driven by three active data center developments from Microsoft, Oracle, and Meta. This significant surge in energy needs raises concerns among consumer advocates and environmental groups regarding potential costs to ratepayers and environmental impacts.

electricity environmental government

Microsoft Oracle Meta

7/7/2026

News ClipCorridor Business Journal·Linn County, IA

Linn County data center moratorium approved: How the board got to 2-1, and what happens next

The Linn County Board of Supervisors has approved an 18-month moratorium on new applications to rezone unincorporated county property for large-scale data centers. This decision followed nearly three hours of public comment and debate, driven by concerns over environmental impacts, electricity demand, water usage, and the rapid growth of data center projects in the county. The moratorium aims to allow time for regional water data gathering, updating the county's comprehensive plan, and reviewing existing ordinances.

moratorium zoning electricity water opposition government environmental

QTS Google

7/2/2026

News ClipCorridor Business Journal·Linn County, IA

Linn County air quality meeting draws more public concerns about proposed Morgan Valley power plant

A public meeting by the Linn County Board of Supervisors regarding air quality permitting for Alliant Energy's proposed 720-megawatt Morgan Valley Energy Center drew significant public concern. Residents, including the Save Morgan Valley group, expressed strong opposition over potential health and environmental impacts from the gas-fired power plant. The power plant is explicitly intended to power nearby QTS and Google data centers and is currently undergoing multiple regulatory reviews, including air quality permitting and a future rezoning application.

environmental electricity opposition government zoning

QTS Google

6/25/2026

News ClipKCRG·Cedar Rapids, Linn County, IA

Residents press officials on health concerns tied to proposed Morgan Valley Energy Center in Linn County

Residents in Linn County, Iowa, voiced health concerns to officials regarding the proposed Morgan Valley Energy Center, a natural gas power plant. This plant is intended to power future data centers from QTS and Google in the Cedar Rapids area. Officials from Linn County Public Health and Alliant Energy addressed the community, with a future public comment event scheduled for July.

environmental electricity government opposition

QTS Google

6/25/2026

News ClipCorridor Business Journal·Cedar Rapids, Linn County, IA

Running-Marquardt speaks out against Morgan Valley power plant plans

Linn County Board of Supervisors chair Kirsten Running-Marquardt publicly denounced Alliant Energy's proposed Morgan Valley Energy Center, stating it primarily serves Google and QTS data centers in Cedar Rapids and will cause significant pollution. She urged Alliant to implement better emission reduction technology and called for transmission lines to be rerouted away from a school campus. The project faces multiple regulatory reviews, including air quality permits and a rezoning application.

environmental electricity zoning opposition government

Google QTS

6/12/2026

News ClipWisconsin Watch·Portage, Columbia County, WI

Wisconsin power plant could benefit from Trump’s $425 million coal push

The Trump administration plans to allocate $425 million to support 13 coal power plants in 10 states, using the Defense Production Act to meet rising electricity demand and preserve jobs. Madison-based utility Alliant Energy has applied for a $19 million grant to extend the life of its coal units at the Columbia Energy Center near Portage, Wisconsin, which it previously planned to retire.

electricity government

6/5/2026

News ClipHomegrown Iowan·Cedar Rapids, Linn County, IA

Morgan Valley power plant opponents voice concerns to Cedar Rapids City Council

Opponents of Alliant Energy's proposed Morgan Valley Energy Center power plant voiced concerns to the Cedar Rapids City Council, citing potential environmental and health impacts. They also highlighted the role of data centers in increasing energy demand. The city council affirmed its limited jurisdiction, noting the project primarily falls under Linn County's review.

opposition electricity environmental government water

6/2/2026

News ClipBeloit Daily News·Town of Rock, Rock County, WI

Town of Rock approves liquified natural gas plant permit

The Town of Rock Planning and Zoning Committee unanimously approved a conditional use permit for Wisconsin Power and Light (WP&L) to build a $512 million liquified natural gas (LNG) plant. This decision followed two tabled votes and occurred despite concerns raised by local residents regarding environmental impacts and the project's potential connection to a hyperscale data center campus.

zoning electricity environmental opposition government

5/27/2026