As state-level regulations targeting data centers accelerate across the U.S., the industry faces a new wave of political and legislative challenges. From rising energy costs in Georgia to environmental mandates in California, data centers are now firmly in the crosshairs of policymakers. Milldam’s Adam Waitkunas recently spoke with Bisnow’s Dan Rabb about the growing need for data center firms to strengthen their public affairs and government relations strategies. As more states introduce policies that could […]
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Zoning In
Mississippi is making moves to attract data centers with Senate Bill SB 3168, offering tax exemptions for projects investing $250M+ and creating high-paying jobs. Meanwhile, Pittsylvania County, VA, faces heated opposition over a proposed 750-acre data center project, with environmental concerns clashing against economic benefits. Virginia’s ongoing data center boom is drawing legislative scrutiny as new laws aim to address noise and energy impacts. Georgia is also weighing new rules requiring data centers to cover […]
Zoning In
Welcome to this week’s edition of Zoning In! In Virginia, lawmakers are at odds over extending tax breaks for data centers through 2050. While some push for long-term incentives to keep Virginia competitive, others want to tie them to energy efficiency mandates. Meanwhile, due to rising electricity demands, Indiana is facing calls for a moratorium on new hyperscale developments. Texas is grappling with power shortages as it attracts massive AI-driven data center investments. California, too, […]
Zoning In
This week’s Zoning In update delves into the evolving regulatory and community landscapes shaping the data center industry. Among the headlines, Talen Energy is challenging FERC’s rejection of its interconnection agreement for a co-located Amazon data center at its Pennsylvania nuclear plant. This case could redefine how energy-intensive AI data centers partner directly with power plants, potentially reshaping the regulatory framework governing grid reliability and supply-demand balance. Meanwhile, in Georgia, the Public Service Commission has […]
Zoning In
This week’s Zoning In features numerous updates and significant opinion pieces. Highlights include a proposed $17 billion development in Georgia that is expected to add $1.6 billion annually to the local tax base, zoning approvals for transformative AI-driven projects in Louisiana, and a high-profile lawsuit in Minnesota that raises questions about transparency and community impact. On the opinion front, there’s growing debate over energy affordability and tax incentives, with critics challenging the role of data […]
Zoning In
This week in Data Center Community Engagement and Regulations Data center growth continues to spark debate across the country as states grapple with infrastructure demands and community concerns. Arizona’s data center boom highlights the strain on its power grid and reports about inequities faced by communities like Navajo Nation. Virginia’s natural gas pipeline expansions aim to meet energy needs while raising environmental questions, as critics call for renewable energy and stricter oversight of the industry. […]
Zoning In
This week in Data Center Community Engagement and Regulations Senate Democrats Push Back on White House’s Data Center Fast-Tracking Plan A group of Senate Democrats is urging President Biden to rethink potential executive actions to expedite data center construction by bypassing environmental regulations. The proposed measures, designed to accelerate the development of AI-supporting data centers, could allow companies to circumvent clean air and water requirements. In a letter to the White House, Senators Sheldon Whitehouse […]
Zoning In
Oversight Battles, Energy Challenges, and Industry Growth As the data center industry continues to expand, local communities and regulatory bodies are grappling with balancing economic growth, infrastructure demands, and environmental impacts. This week’s edition of Zoning In explores pivotal developments shaping the industry, from debates over by-right use policies in Virginia to groundbreaking energy agreements in the Midwest. We also highlight critical legal challenges, op-eds advocating for greater oversight, and the implications of Federal Energy […]
Zoning In
Data center growth is driving economic change but sparking local resistance. Protests in Maryland, environmental pushback in Louisiana, and debates over cost-sharing in Ohio highlight the balance needed between development and sustainability. Dive deeper into these issues and more in this week’s report! Data Center Growth and Its Transformative Impact on the U.S. Energy Landscape Data center growth is rapidly reshaping the U.S. energy and economic landscape, with projections indicating data centers will consume 5%-9% […]
Zoning IN
Dominion Energy’s Long-Term Investment in Natural Gas Sparks Environmental Concerns in Virginia Dominion Energy recently released its 2024 integrated resource plan, which details its energy strategy through 2039. The plan underscores Dominion’s significant investments in natural gas infrastructure to meet rising energy demands while committing to clean energy projects like solar, offshore wind, and energy storage. Environmentalists, however, are critical of the company’s continued reliance on fossil fuels, especially in light of climate change and […]