Data Center Signal is tracking 24 clips about Digital Realty data center developments across 11 states, including VA, NC, TX, WA, KS.
Digital Realty offered a tour of one of its data centers as Charlotte city leaders prepared for a critical vote on a potential moratorium. This vote could impact future data center development in the area. The outcome of the vote is pending.
Residents in De Soto, Kansas, are actively opposing proposals for two new hyperscale data centers by Digital Realty and Beale Infrastructure, citing concerns over water usage, noise, and environmental impacts. They are demanding the city implement strict caps on water and power, ban tax incentives, and update noise ordinances, while the City Council is considering new regulations.
A Warren County, Virginia resident warned the local planning commission against allowing data centers, citing negative impacts observed in other parts of the state. Concerns include higher electricity bills, droughts, tax disputes, and significant budget shortfalls for public services due to tax exemptions for data centers.
A new data center is planned for downtown Seattle, despite the City Council's recent committee vote in favor of a one-year moratorium on such projects. The Digital Realty project could proceed if permits are finalized before the full council votes on the moratorium on June 9, sparking debate among residents and council members about balancing technological growth with environmental concerns and urban planning.
Residents in De Soto, Kansas, are strongly opposing two proposed large-scale data center developments by Beal Infrastructure and Digital Realty. Concerns center on excessive energy and water use, environmental pollution, and controversial tax abatements. A recent city council meeting saw residents voice their objections and explore strategies to prevent the projects.
De Soto residents expressed strong opposition to two proposed data center developments at a city council meeting, citing concerns about excessive energy and water use and environmental pollution. Both the city administrator and a representative from Digital Realty acknowledged the community's concerns. Another company, Beal Infrastructure, is also proposing a larger data center.
Digital Realty has proposed a new six-story data center in downtown Seattle, filing permit applications for the project. This comes as the city's Land Use and Sustainability Committee voted to advance a one-year moratorium on large-scale data centers amidst significant public outcry over their development and energy use. It is currently unclear if the proposed moratorium would impact Digital Realty's plans.
Charlotte residents packed a public hearing to demand a moratorium on new data center development, citing concerns over environmental impacts, water usage, and electricity consumption. The Charlotte City Council is considering a 150-day moratorium to study these impacts, with a vote potentially scheduled for June 8. Residents highlighted specific projects from American Towers, Digital Realty, and PowerHouse.
Duke Energy reported significant profits driven by data center demand in the Carolinas and is actively courting new developments. Concurrently, several North Carolina municipalities and counties, including Charlotte and Lee County, are enacting or considering moratoriums to revise local ordinances in response to the rapid data center growth.
Virginia's data center sales and use tax exemption is projected to cost the state over $1 billion annually, with significant impacts on K-12 public education. State lawmakers are divided on whether to eliminate the exemption, impose environmental standards, or introduce usage-based fees for electricity and water, as a July 1 budget deadline looms. The data center industry's trade group argues the exemption generates substantial jobs and investment, while critics contend it allows multi-billion-dollar companies to avoid fair taxes.
Data center development across the US is facing fierce local opposition due to concerns about environmental impact, energy and water usage, and local bills. This local discontent is increasingly influencing state and national politics, becoming a significant issue in midterm elections, with voters unseating politicians who support data center projects.
The rapid expansion of data centers across the US has become a significant political issue in midterm elections, as communities express fierce opposition due to environmental strain, noise, and utility concerns. This backlash has led to local politicians losing seats and state legislatures considering new regulations or moratoriums on data center construction. The issue is now drawing national attention, with even presidential administrations addressing the debate.
Residents in southwest Atlanta's NPU-V overwhelmingly rejected a proposed data center by Digital Realty during a public meeting, citing concerns about energy and water consumption. Although the community vote is a recommendation, it will be considered by the Atlanta City Council and the city's zoning review board as the controversial legislation moves forward.
Delaware is grappling with an influx of new data center proposals, prompting the state to examine the experiences of Northern Virginia's Data Center Alley, particularly Loudoun County, for insights into both economic benefits and environmental/quality-of-life impacts. Debates in Delaware center on potential economic gains versus concerns about energy demands, environmental degradation, and community disruption from these electricity-intensive facilities. No proposed data centers in northern Delaware have yet secured all necessary approvals.
New research indicates that large data centers, particularly those powering AI, are creating "heat islands" and warming surrounding land by up to 16 degrees Fahrenheit. This alarming environmental impact is due to their immense energy consumption and cooling systems, affecting millions globally. Scientists warn of dramatic impacts as data center numbers are set to explode.
A new poll reveals that 8 in 10 North Carolinians support requiring AI data centers to provide their own energy generation. This sentiment comes as two legislative proposals aimed at data center energy costs have stalled in the General Assembly, while major data center projects from Amazon and Digital Realty continue to be announced across the state.
Western Pennsylvania is poised for a significant data center boom, with billions in investments announced across several counties. This article uses Northern Virginia's two-decade experience as a roadmap, highlighting both economic benefits and community warnings regarding electricity demand, environmental impact, and quality of life concerns. Local officials in Western PA are advised to implement strict zoning and environmental regulations based on Virginia's challenges and successes.
More than 100 residents attended an informational meeting in Rockford, IL, to discuss community concerns regarding newly announced data center projects. Experts from Digital Realty provided insights into data center operations, focusing on energy and water consumption. The proposed projects are currently in their early planning stages.
Two data center projects in Franklin County, Missouri are on the agenda for the Franklin County Planning and Zoning Commission meeting on Tuesday, March 17.
The video discusses a proposal in Rhode Island to offer 30-year tax breaks to attract data center developments, sparking discussions on the potential benefits of job creation and investment versus the concerns around energy use and environmental impact.