Members discussed the scale and cooling practices of data centers moving into rural areas, questioned tax incentives and raised concerns that glycol in cooling systems could contaminate discharge—potentially affecting downstream waterways.

Texas Data Center Growth Under Scrutiny as Governor Implements Freeze Texas, once a prime destination for data center investment, is now facing increased scrutiny and restrictions on expansion, as evidenced by Governor Greg Abbott’s recent executive actions. A year ago, the state’s pro-business environment, including the absence of state and local income taxes and a

Public Utility Commission Chairman Stephen DeFrank has called for a mechanism to preempt local land use decisions that hinder the construction of necessary electric generation facilities, citing increasing challenges in meeting energy demand from data centers and the potential for grid reliability failures. His remarks came before a House Energy Committee informational session concerning a

Ohio Faces Potential Power Cost Burden from Data Center Growth The grid operator for Ohio and 12 other states, PJM, initiated a special auction Wednesday to secure additional power after its regular auction this summer failed to meet demand. Power plant operators are being offered increased prices to encourage greater electricity production. These higher costs

As global technology behemoths frantically pour capital into artificial intelligence infrastructure, skeptical voices questioning potential "overbuilding" and an impending "AI bubble" are growing increasingly vociferous across financial markets. However, Nokia CEO Justin Hotard forcefully rebutted this pessimistic narrative during a recent interview with CNBC. Hotard emphatically argued that the current velocity of expansion cannot be remotely classified as a surplus.

Pennsylvania Utility Commission Warns of Electric Reliability Risks Due to Data Center Growth The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) released an analysis Monday highlighting potential electric reliability concerns stemming from rapid data center development across Pennsylvania and the broader region. The study, conducted by energy consulting firm Synapse Energy Economics, assessed the availability of adequate

Panelists warned that large data centers could drive new generation and transmission costs and that past studies show utilities sometimes shift interconnection costs to other customers; they urged engagement with the Public Service Commission and legislators.

Public Utility Commission Study Warns of Potential Electric Grid Failures Due to Data Center Growth On September 14, the Public Utility Commission released an independent analysis highlighting potential reliability risks throughout Pennsylvania and the surrounding region due to rapidly increasing electricity demand, largely attributed to data center development. The assessment, conducted by Synapse Energy Economics,

Addressing local worries about data centers, the Lawmaker said communities need not choose between jobs and protecting water, electricity costs and noise, asserting there is a way to "have your cake and eat it too."

Commissioner John Paul Young asked the Caddo Parish Planning and Zoning Commission to consider recommending a moratorium on data-center construction in zoned commercial and industrial areas, citing public concern; the commission voted 4–6 to not advance the request, with 2 members absent.

Department of Energy Reconsiders Transmission Corridors Amidst Growth Concerns The Department of Energy (DOE) has declined to designate three proposed transmission corridors, a decision occurring as its own research underscores rapid growth in data center power needs. This situation is raising questions about the optimal timing for utilities to build necessary infrastructure, given that data

PJM Interconnection has proposed a framework that would allow large data centers and other significant electricity consumers to begin operations without first securing sufficient new capacity. However, these loads would be prioritized for reduction before PJM activates existing demand-response resources during periods of low electricity supply. On August 13, the regional transmission organization (RTO) requested

Governor Greg Abbott has initiated government intervention to scrutinize the power requirements of data center developers in Texas. A recent report from JLL indicates that Texas is positioned to become the world’s largest market for data centers, but this growth faces opposition across the political spectrum. Governor Abbott's action temporarily halts new data center connections

MRO told the Minnesota House Energy Finance and Policy Committee that its 2026 Regional Risk Assessment flags energy adequacy as the single extreme risk, driven largely by rapid data-center growth, retirements of dispatchable generation, and constrained equipment supply chains.

Council members urged proactive planning for data-center growth to avoid water and grid strain, discussed leveraging state/federal grants and military-impact funding, and heard that staff will return in July with a proposal to allocate federal housing grants for transitional housing.

Data center expansion and nuclear power feasibility discussed in Springfield area meeting.

Alberta Prioritizes Grid Reliability Amidst Data Centre Growth Alberta’s electrical grid is designed to ensure reliable power service, a priority that remains unchanged with the rise of data centers, according to officials. The independent system operator grants access to the transmission system only if it doesn't jeopardize overall stability and adequacy. Projects incorporating new power

Texas agencies have announced strategies to manage the connection of data centers to the state’s electrical grid, prioritizing affordability for residents and ensuring companies cover costs related to industry expansion. In a letter to Gov. Greg Abbott on July 17, Thomas Gleeson, chair of the Public Utility Commission of Texas, emphasized that these projects should