Data Center Signal is tracking 1,216 clips about Google data center developments across 15 states, including VA, MN, TX, IN, AR.
Google has announced that its first data center building in Botetourt County will utilize air-cooling technology, a change intended to decrease the facility's overall water consumption. Despite this, opponents of the project are raising questions and say the announcement leaves key concerns unaddressed.
Google announced a significant change to its planned data center campus in Botetourt County, Virginia. Responding to growing concerns about water usage, the company stated that the first building will now utilize air-cooling technology.
Google plans to implement air-cooling technology at its first data center in Botetourt, Virginia. This approach is expected to significantly reduce the facility's water usage. The development highlights a focus on sustainable cooling methods for data center operations.
An 11-year-old boy in Virginia gave a speech at a county meeting regarding "Project Sky," a large Google data center campus that is currently in the planning stages. His speech garnered a standing ovation, highlighting public engagement and potential opposition to the proposed development.
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine has signed President Donald Trump's Ratepayer Protection Pledge, aiming to prevent the cost of powering large data centers from being passed to residential utility customers. The pledge encourages data center developers and electric utilities to fund the necessary energy infrastructure. Ohio has already implemented a data center tariff for American Electric Power requiring new large-scale data centers to pay for at least 85 percent of their contracted electric capacity.
The Linn County Planning and Zoning Commission is discussing a proposed ordinance amendment to allow data centers co-located with nuclear power plants in the EU-2 zoning district, despite an existing 18-month moratorium on data center rezoning applications in the EU-3 district. Residents expressed strong opposition, viewing the proposal as a loophole that could undermine the moratorium and raise concerns about water use and enforcement. The commission plans to review draft language for the amendment at a future meeting, pending further public input.
NextEra Energy exceeded Q2 profit estimates, largely due to increased electricity demand from data centers, boosting its utility and renewable energy sectors. The company plans to restart a nuclear plant in Iowa for Google's data centers and is advancing a major acquisition of Dominion Energy, currently under regulatory review.
Former President Trump and Republican governors are advocating for a Ratepayer Protection Pledge that requires data center companies to cover their infrastructure and generation costs, aiming to lower consumer electricity bills. Concurrently, a similar federal bill has passed a House committee, while some lawmakers propose a nationwide data center moratorium, following New York's recent ban on AI data centers.
North Carolina Governor Josh Stein and Attorney General Jeff Jackson are challenging Duke Energy to make its federal Ratepayer Protection Pledge legally binding in the state. This pledge aims to ensure tech companies and data centers, rather than residents, bear the costs of new power infrastructure required for their operations. State officials are pushing for a formal "large load tariff" and a transparent "bring your own power generation" program to protect consumers from rising electricity bills.
An analysis explores why data center projects often create division in Michigan communities, pitting tech companies, utilities, and local officials against residents. The article highlights conflicts over land, water, and electricity resources, using examples like a proposed University of Michigan data center and Google's project in Van Buren Township.
The Economic Development of Columbia County announced that Google will be the sole end-user and operator of the data center slated for the White Oak Park property in Appling, Georgia. This follows years of county preparation, including land rezoning despite some local opposition. County officials highlight the project's potential to significantly boost the local tax base.
President Donald Trump expanded a voluntary pledge for governors and electricity companies to shield U.S. consumers from higher utility bills from data centers, amidst growing public concern over the energy demands of artificial intelligence. This national initiative follows state-level actions in New York and Florida and bipartisan efforts in Congress to address the costs of data center development.
Oklahoma's data centers largely avoid water permits by purchasing water from municipal utilities, leaving their consumption untracked despite a new state law. This loophole is fueling community opposition in areas like Yukon and Luther, where Beltline Energy's proposed data centers face scrutiny over water use and transparency. Lawmakers are working to close this regulatory gap as the AI industry's rapid expansion strains local resources.
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.
Columbia County leaders announced Google as the sole operator for a new data center project in Appling, Georgia. While officials anticipate job creation and tax benefits, some residents are expressing concerns about potential environmental impacts like light, noise, runoff, and water usage. The project is planned near residential areas, causing unease among long-time residents.
Data center development has become a significant topic in Alabama's 2026 gubernatorial race, with candidates offering differing views on their benefits and drawbacks. Senator Tommy Tuberville emphasizes the economic advantages and job creation, while Doug Jones raises concerns about lax regulations, environmental impact, and a lack of transparency.
Governors of Indiana and Ohio, alongside 21 other governors, signed a pledge initiated by President Trump to protect ratepayers from increased electricity bills due to large AI data centers. The pledge mandates that tech companies will bear the full cost of electricity generation and infrastructure required for their data centers. Google's Fort Wayne data center is cited as an example, with Google, Amazon, and Indiana Michigan Power having already signed the pledge.
Saline Township trustees reversed a decision to limit a tax exemption for Oracle's proposed data center, now approving a $43 billion investment. Meanwhile, Augusta Township voters will decide on a rezoning referendum for a Thor Equities data center, amidst ongoing recall efforts against the township board. Additionally, six tech companies signed a state pledge committing to cover infrastructure costs and protect water resources for their Michigan projects.
Columbia County officials announced that Google will be the sole end-user and operator of a data center at the White Oak Park property in Appling, Georgia. This announcement follows prior rezoning approvals and a period of local opposition to data center developments in the area. The project is touted as a significant investment that will strengthen the county's tax base.
President Donald Trump announced an expanded voluntary pledge, joined by governors and electricity companies, to protect consumers from higher utility bills caused by data centers. The initiative seeks to address public concerns over increasing energy demands. Several states are enacting or considering legislation to mandate that data centers cover associated utility costs.