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
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 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
In this week’s Zoning In, The Wall Street Journal looks at Atlanta’s surge in data center construction, driven by hyperscalers, and how it faces pushback as residents and lawmakers prioritize community-focused development near transit and urban areas. Meanwhile, Arizona emerges as a tech innovation hub with semiconductors, AI, and clean energy investments. Nationwide, states are grappling with rising energy demands from data center growth, with Pennsylvania challenging electricity cost increases, Georgia managing energy imports, and […]
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
This week’s Zoning In explores the evolving landscape of data center growth and regulation. Oregon, OH, approved a $17.3M land sale for a potential data center, promising economic gains, while Arizona and Virginia grapple with grid reliability challenges from rising energy demands, exploring new interconnection tariffs and renewable investments. Shenandoah County, VA, is weighing data center opportunities against infrastructure and environmental concerns, and Loudoun County continues to push back on projects combining data centers with […]
Zoning In
This week’s Zoning In covers recent key developments and controversies shaping the data center industry. From AEP Ohio’s agreement on interconnection rules to Bain’s study on data centers’ impact on electricity demand—it is projected to drive a 1% rise in customer bills through 2032. In Virginia, a professor’s investigation into NDAs with localities highlights the tension between development and public transparency. At the same time, Foreign Policy’s exploration of AI infrastructure showcases the geopolitical stakes […]
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 […]