Data Center Signal is tracking 1,336 clips about Amazon data center developments across 15 states, including OH, PA, VA, TX, IN.
Wilmington residents are challenging the City of Wilmington's use of emergency legislation to rezone land. This action paves the way for a proposed Amazon data center, and residents are opposing the process.
Data centers in the US are facing public criticism for their high water and power consumption. Tech giants are addressing this by implementing new cooling technologies, such as closed-loop systems, to reduce water use, though this often increases electricity demand. While efficiency has improved for some companies, the industry still faces challenges in consistent reporting and upgrading older facilities.
Data centers in Oregon, fueled by the AI boom, are driving heated conversations due to their significant climate and community impacts, particularly concerning air quality and strain on the state's aging power grid. Many facilities, like an Amazon data center in Boardman, rely on diesel generators, posing pollution risks.
Nearly half of the Pennsylvania municipalities involved in the state's 'fast track' data center program signed non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) with developers, raising concerns about public access to information. Governor Josh Shapiro initially supported the fast-track program but later issued an executive order prohibiting NDAs for data center projects under state agency jurisdiction. A U.S. Senator has also launched a national investigation into the use of NDAs by data center companies.
Arkansas is experiencing a surge in data center construction, including projects by Google, AVAIO Digital, and Serverfarm, which an opinion piece critiques as speculative and environmentally harmful. The author raises concerns about water usage, the unstable business models of key AI companies, and legal issues involving xAI, questioning the overall benefit to the state.
PPL Electric Utilities was nationally recognized by Site Selection magazine for its economic development contributions in eastern and central Pennsylvania. The utility's efforts supported numerous projects, including the connection of Amazon's hyperscale data center campus in Salem Township to its transmission system. This recognition highlights PPL's investments in infrastructure and reliable electric service.
Most Union County, Ohio townships have proactively updated their zoning codes to prohibit data centers, following advice from county economic officials. Despite this trend, Jerome Township is seeing progress on a new data center campus project by BA Mitchell Owner LLC, with its preliminary plat approval extended. Additionally, a large adjacent property is seeking rezoning to allow for potential future data center development, influenced by a neighboring Amazon campus.
Ohio Senator Bernie Moreno is proposing federal legislation to claw back 100% of state and local tax incentives given to data centers in Ohio, citing concerns over economic benefits and taxpayer costs. This initiative follows Ohio Governor Mike DeWine's pause on new data center tax agreements due to soaring exemption costs and strain on the electric grid. The article highlights specific beneficiaries like Ark Data Centers and Cologix Inc., as well as legacy agreements with Amazon, Meta, and Google.
Salem Township Planning Commission in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, is attempting a third vote on a data center zoning overlay after a judge invalidated their second vote due to a Sunshine Act violation. The legal action was initiated by local plaintiffs, causing delays for a billion-dollar data center initiative that includes projects by Amazon and QTS.
Conservative podcaster Tucker Carlson suggested Texas Governor Greg Abbott's reelection could be jeopardized by his data center moratorium. Abbott had previously directed state entities to ensure data centers don't burden Texans financially or with resources, leading to enforced regulations and a subsequent pause on new data center construction for an audit. Polls indicate a majority of Texans oppose data center construction in their communities, and the governor's race has tightened.
The Canadian federal government has presented a new framework for data center development, outlining expectations for responsible growth, local benefits, and minimal environmental impact. This initiative follows a similar plan from the Province of Ontario and addresses public concerns over AI infrastructure, electricity use, and water consumption. Across the border, New York State has also enacted a one-year pause on data center permits.
Republicans in the House are debating federal legislation, including the "Ratepayer Protection Act," to address growing concerns about data centers' impact on electricity and water demand, which voters link to higher utility bills. While a House committee unanimously approved one bill, GOP leaders are facing internal opposition and delays in bringing it to a floor vote. The legislation aims to ensure data centers cover grid upgrade costs and prevent water costs from being passed to consumers.
Wilmington, Ohio residents are continuing to express dissent over data center ordinances passed by the City Council. The council voted to approve a rezoning ordinance tonight for a proposed four-billion-dollar Amazon Web Services data center, marking a significant step forward for the project despite public opposition.
A Wilmington, Ohio resident has filed a lawsuit to overturn an "emergency" rezoning approved by City Council for a proposed $4 billion Amazon data center. The lawsuit alleges the city illegally used the emergency designation to prevent a citizen-led referendum on the project. This comes amidst ongoing resident concerns about noise, pollution, and utility impacts, and follows recent Ohio Supreme Court rulings favoring citizen referendums on data center developments in other cities.
A Wilmington, Ohio resident has filed a lawsuit against the city, seeking to overturn an "emergency" rezoning approval for a proposed $4 billion Amazon data center. The lawsuit contends that the city's emergency designation is a tactic to prevent residents from initiating a public referendum on the issue. This legal action follows prior court rulings against the city regarding open meetings and precedent from the Ohio Supreme Court on similar
Amazon Web Services has withdrawn a request to draw 6.4 million gallons of groundwater annually for a proposed data center in King George County, Virginia, following strong opposition from local officials and a state senator. Separately, Virginia House Speaker Don Scott urged the State Corporation Commission to ensure a proposed Dominion Energy and NextEra Energy merger does not increase rates for Virginians and that data centers cover their full infrastructure costs. Amazon and King George County also remain in court over a rescinded development agreement and site rezoning.
Trenton, Ohio, voters will decide on a ballot measure to ban data centers in the city following an Ohio Supreme Court ruling. This decision comes as the city attempts to annex land from two townships, St. Clair and Madison, for a proposed Amazon data center, a proposal which both townships have rejected. Residents and environmental groups are actively opposing the development.
An opinion piece in the Cincinnati Enquirer argues that Ohio should mandate data centers to generate their own power and cover all associated infrastructure costs, rather than burdening existing utility customers. The author highlights the PORTS-Pike project in Pike County as a model, where OpenAI is committed to a data center campus with its own 10 gigawatts of power generation. This model is advocated for future hyperscale projects, specifically mentioning a proposed Amazon Web Services campus in Trenton, Butler County.
Texas is experiencing significant discourse surrounding data center development, with concerns primarily focusing on water usage, power consumption, and local community impact. Governor Greg Abbott previously paused data center construction across the state. Experts propose solutions like energy-positive and water-neutral operations, along with strategic site selection to mitigate negative effects.
A new policy proposal advocates for states to implement a per-megawatt surcharge on data centers, beyond existing large load tariffs, to fund electric grid modernization and accelerate renewable energy interconnection. New York's governor has directed its Department of Public Service to consider requiring data centers to invest in a "grid acceleration fund." The article also cites existing state tariffs and company-utility partnerships aimed at energy solutions.