Data Center Signal is tracking 1,076 clips about Microsoft data center developments across 15 states, including WI, MI, TX, WY, IN.
The video fact-checks Vivek Ramaswamy's campaign ad alleging Amy Acton was hypocritical about data centers because of her investments in technology companies. It says Acton's disclosed Microsoft holdings did not establish direct investment in specific data centers, while Microsoft's planned Ohio facilities include projects in New Albany, Heath and Hebron.
Tallgrass, a Blackstone-owned energy company developing a major AI data center near Cheyenne with Google, donated $105 million to Yellowstone National Park. The gift is drawing criticism from residents and environmental advocates who question whether it is intended to improve the companies’ public image while nearby data centers create noise, light, water, pollution and electricity concerns.
Major technology companies are responding to growing opposition to U.S. data center projects by pledging greater transparency, additional community payments and efforts to reduce environmental impacts. Residents and advocacy groups continue to challenge projects over tax incentives, electricity demand, water use, secrecy and local quality-of-life concerns.
The U.S. is providing billions of dollars in financing to help restart three shuttered nuclear plants in Michigan, Pennsylvania and Iowa amid rising electricity demand from data centers and artificial intelligence. NextEra Energy, Holtec International and Constellation Energy have agreements with major technology companies to supply carbon-free power, while critics question the safety and use of taxpayer funding.
Mark IV Capital won approval from the Fernley City Council to build a 324-megawatt natural gas power plant and battery storage systems in the Victory Logistics District, which is being marketed for manufacturing and data center development. The proposal triggered legal demands against a planning commissioner who questioned the project, ethics inquiries and the resignations of three planning commissioners.
NiSource and Microsoft reached a 20-year agreement to provide power for Microsoft’s planned data center campus in northwest Indiana, with service expected to begin in 2028. Microsoft will fund the generation and transmission infrastructure, while the arrangement is projected to increase savings for Northern Indiana Public Service Company customers and support grid reliability.
Microsoft has purchased about 600 acres in Woodward, Iowa, for a planned data center campus. The project still requires approval of a development agreement and site plan, while critics say the city improperly limited a public discussion to Woodward residents despite regional impacts involving water, electricity, roads and traffic.
Wisconsin state Rep. Pat Snyder defended his position that data centers are inevitable but should face strict local controls, including enclosed water systems and self-generated power. He also denied a political ad's claim that he gave $2 million to a Microsoft data center near Milwaukee and discussed his support for proposed data center restrictions.
Activists in Michigan City urged NIPSCO to retire its coal-fired generating unit as planned in 2028, warning that rising electricity demand from regional data centers could extend the plant’s operation. The protest also highlighted coal ash contamination risks and the plant’s environmental legacy.
Microsoft has purchased about 600 acres in Woodward’s Eco Business Park for a proposed data center campus. The project still requires approval of a development agreement and site plan, while the columnist criticizes the city for excluding non-Woodward residents from an informational meeting about regional impacts such as water, electricity, traffic and noise.
Microsoft is reportedly considering Sturtevant, Wisconsin, as the next location for data center development. The article provides no additional details about the project or its status.
Residents in Wisconsin Rapids are strongly opposing PNK's proposed data center at the former paper mill site, citing concerns about jobs, electricity, water use and environmental impacts. City leaders voted to have staff draft a 12-month moratorium on future data center operations, but the pause would not affect PNK's current proposal; similar opposition and moratoriums are emerging across Wisconsin.
The federal government is providing billions in loans to help restart three shuttered nuclear plants in Michigan, Pennsylvania and Iowa, partly to meet rising electricity demand from data centers. Google and Microsoft have signed agreements tied to two of the plants, while experts debate the safety and necessity of using taxpayer funds for the projects.
The rapid growth of AI data centers is driving development of solid-state transformers that can manage high-voltage electricity more efficiently and flexibly than conventional equipment. Companies including DG Matrix, Nvidia, Google and Microsoft are developing or supporting architectures that could help data centers handle larger loads while reducing stress on the power grid.
Data center construction is expanding the tax base in the East Wenatchee and Wenatchee areas, lowering projected property tax rates for proposed school bonds. Microsoft’s planned facilities in Malaga and other regional data centers are expected to contribute substantially to school construction funding, spreading costs across more commercial properties.
Independent gubernatorial candidate Anthony Hudson held a protest at the Michigan Capitol opposing hyperscale data centers and other issues. Speakers included Dorr Township resident Linda Dumond, who described opposition to Microsoft's proposed data center and a township moratorium, while Hudson proposed new regulations and penalties for data centers.
Duke Energy and major technology companies have proposed a North Carolina settlement requiring large electricity users, including data center developers, to pay upfront for dedicated grid upgrades. State officials and environmental groups support shifting costs away from households but want stronger transparency, clean-energy requirements and ratepayer protections before the Utilities Commission approves the deal.
The opinion article criticizes nondisclosure agreements that allow data center developers and local governments to negotiate projects without publicly disclosing their water use, electricity demand or tax incentives. It cites examples in Bessemer, Alabama, Virginia, Oregon and Minnesota, and discusses proposed policy responses including moratoriums, disclosure requirements and rules making data centers pay for grid upgrades.
The U.S. Department of Energy is providing up to $4.4 billion in loans to help restart three shuttered nuclear plants in Michigan, Pennsylvania and Iowa, partly to meet electricity demand from data centers. Microsoft and Google have signed or are pursuing long-term power agreements tied to the Crane Clean Energy Center and Duane Arnold Energy Center, while safety and taxpayer-cost concerns remain.
The Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. signed at least five nondisclosure agreements with data center developers, sometimes months or years before projects were publicly announced. State Rep. Clint Moses plans to introduce legislation extending a proposed ban on local data center NDAs to the state agency.