Data Center Signal is tracking 68 clips about Prologis data center developments across 11 states, including OH, IN, GA, WA, MI.
Shelbyville, Indiana Mayor Scott Furgeson is facing backlash for comments linking data center opponents to "shitty," run-down rental properties. This controversy adds to months of tension over the proposed annexation of 400 acres for a hyperscale data center by Prologis, which has already seen a lawsuit filed by residents.
Allentown City Council is set to vote on new zoning regulations for data centers, which aim to restrict locations and require extensive studies on environmental impacts, water, and electricity usage. However, these new rules will not apply to a proposed hyperscale data center in South Allentown due to its application being submitted before the ordinance advertisements, allowing it to be reviewed under older, less stringent regulations.
A third lawsuit has been filed against the City of Yorkville, targeting the 540-acre Project Steel data center development. Filed by a community organization and residents, the suit alleges the city failed to follow public notice rules for rezoning and that impact studies were insufficient. It seeks to invalidate the rezoning and halt construction of the project.
Washington Township officials have unanimously approved a six-month moratorium on data center applications, processing, or approvals. This decision follows months of public protest against a proposed zoning change and the withdrawal of an application by potential developer Prologis. The township's planning commission is now working to develop a new ordinance amendment regarding data centers.
Following community opposition, Prologis has withdrawn its application for rezoning a 312-acre site in Washington Township, Michigan, where it planned a data center. The Washington Township clerk has now proposed a temporary moratorium on all data center applications to allow the community to establish new legal safeguards.
Prologis has withdrawn its rezoning application for a data center in Washington Township following months of protests and discussions. The developer stated they would wait until the township adopts new ordinances for such facilities. In response, the township clerk is proposing a temporary moratorium on data center applications.
Allentown lawmakers are supporting a proposed ordinance, Bill 20, that would significantly restrict where large data centers can open within the city to specific industrial zones. The legislation aims to define data centers, establish regulations including setbacks and maximum heights, and require extensive studies on water, electricity, and environmental impacts to address existing zoning gaps. This comes as several other Lehigh Valley municipalities are also considering or implementing data center regulations.
Experts at a Stanford University symposium discussed the potential for data centers to significantly increase electricity demand nationwide and in California, straining power grids but also potentially accelerating decarbonization. The event highlighted rising electricity usage in areas like San Jose and Santa Clara, along with growing community opposition and legislative efforts to restrict data center development in various states.
Seattle city leaders are proposing a year-long moratorium on new data centers due to community pushback and concerns over environmental, utility, and infrastructure impacts. Two developers have already withdrawn their plans amid public alarm regarding increased electricity costs and potential pollution. The city will use this period to study long-term policies, including higher utility rates for large-load customers like data centers.
The Allen Township Board of Supervisors in Northampton County, Pennsylvania, approved an amended plan to convert a one-million-square-foot warehouse into a data center. This decision advances a new data center project in the region. Other townships in the Lehigh Valley are also considering data center developments.
Seattle officials are considering a one-year moratorium on new data centers following reports of potential expansion interest from several companies. The proposal includes a resolution for impact studies on city infrastructure, water usage, utility rates, and land use. Public alarm and thousands of emails from residents prompted the council's action.
Residents in Butler County, Ohio, are actively opposing a large Prologis data center project in Trenton, raising concerns about environmental impact, water usage, and the electrical grid. While the Trenton Plan Commission approved the site plan, residents are urging county commissioners to enact a moratorium and state lawmakers are proposing a study commission and a potential statewide ban.
Data center development is sparking political tension across Pennsylvania, particularly in the Lehigh Valley, due to high energy and water demands. While statewide policymakers see economic benefits, local communities are raising concerns about land use and environmental impact. Local townships are beginning to propose regulations to manage this development.
A $220 million, four-story data center project has been proposed for Seattle's Duwamish area by civil engineer PacLand for an unnamed client. This proposal emerges as Mayor Katie Wilson and city officials consider a moratorium on new in-city data centers, citing concerns about rising residential electricity rates. The early filing of this plan might be a strategy to pre-empt or legally challenge any upcoming moratorium.
Trenton, Ohio, residents are actively opposing a proposed 250-megawatt data center, despite its recent zoning approval. They are gathering signatures for a statewide petition to allow citizens to vote on bans for large data centers. Concerns include noise, disruption, and a perceived lack of public voice in the approval process.
San Jose's plan to attract new data centers is facing significant public pushback due to concerns about environmental impacts and strain on the city's power grid. Residents are organizing petitions and letter-writing campaigns, demanding greater transparency and community engagement from city officials. The city maintains projects will undergo rigorous vetting, including environmental reviews and public hearings.
Residents and officials in Rome and Floyd County, Georgia, are divided over the proliferation of data centers, with officials highlighting potential property tax relief and critics raising concerns about transparency, water and electricity usage, and quality of life. The debate reflects a national trend, with specific projects approved in the area despite ongoing local pushback and discussions around potential moratoriums and legislative actions.
Local leaders across central North Carolina are actively considering or implementing moratoriums and zoning changes to regulate data center development. Multiple counties and cities have either proposed, enacted, or are discussing temporary bans, while some have approved rezoning requests or updated ordinances to address data centers. Companies like Microsoft, Prologis, and Natelli Investments are involved in specific projects or land use discussions.
San Jose's plan to encourage data center development is facing significant pushback from residents concerned about environmental impacts and strain on the power grid. Despite city assurances of rigorous vetting and economic benefits, a petition with over 800 signatures was submitted, and residents voiced concerns at a recent City Council meeting. A specific Prologis data center project on a wastewater facility site is highlighted as a point of contention.
Three companies are exploring four large-scale data center sites in Seattle, with capacities up to 120 megawatts each, totaling 317 megawatts. Due to significant public opposition and concerns over water and energy resources, Mayor Katie Wilson is exploring a moratorium on siting new data centers.