As we approach the Fourth of July, the bright bursts of fireworks aren’t the only displays lighting up the sky—data center development is sparking significant growth and challenges across the U.S. But like a fireworks show, the excitement often comes with unexpected headwinds. Communities are raising concerns over the environmental impact, with increasing opposition to new data center projects. A prime example is the recently filed lawsuit by the Tonawanda Seneca Nation and the Sierra […]

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This week’s Zoning In highlights a theme we’ve seen accelerating in recent months: the deepening friction between the relentless expansion of AI-driven data center infrastructure and the ability (or willingness) of communities, regulators, and utilities to keep pace. Across states like Kentucky, Ohio, Georgia, West Virginia, and Colorado, we see a familiar pattern—local residents and officials increasingly questioning the long-term impacts of energy-hungry data centers on land use, water, noise, quality of life, and utility […]

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