Utilities & Rates

Bisnow · Florida

OpenAI launched the Grid Protectors Program to reduce electricity consumption at its data center campuses during grid emergencies, using a Georgia contract as a template. The planned Georgia campus will demand 3.2 GW of power with up to 1 GW of flexible demand response available to the grid during high-demand events.

Crypto Briefing · Georgia

On November 3rd, voters in nine states will elect 14 officials to state public utility commissions as higher energy bills and data center issues gain prominence. Georgia's PSC is most likely to shift party control, with Democrats seeking majority power, while races in Louisiana, Nebraska, and Arizona could also see competitive contests.

MultiState · Georgia

Headline onlyThe Atlanta Journal-Constitution · Georgia

Wisconsin's artificial intelligence data center industry has expanded rapidly over the past year, bringing billions in investment while sparking debates over energy use, water consumption and farmland preservation. Several major projects have emerged across the state, though some proposals have been halted following community opposition.

The Lakeland Mirror · Polk Co., FL

Stan Connally, Southern Company's chief operating officer, will become Georgia Power's new chairman, president and CEO starting Jan. 1, replacing Kim Greene, who moves to lead Southern Company Operations overseeing the company's grid, power plants and infrastructure.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution · Georgia

Governor Jeff Landry and Louisiana Economic Development announced new requirements for data center companies seeking tax breaks, including commitments to prevent increased ratepayer costs, strengthen grid reliability, and invest in local workforces. The exemption program will now be invitation-only for companies making significant long-term commitments to the state.

WBRZ · Louisiana

Louisiana's administration announced new requirements Thursday for data center developers seeking the state's sales tax exemption, including detailed attestations covering workforce investment, grid reliability, and community contributions. The state will rename data centers "digital factories," and companies must invest at least $200 million between July 2024 and July 2029 while creating at least 50 permanent jobs.

96.5 KPEL · Louisiana

Entergy Arkansas filed a request with state regulators to build two battery storage systems costing $550.6 million combined to support Google's expanding West Memphis data center. The 250-megawatt Driver BESS and 100-megawatt Jones Mill BESS are expected to be operational by June 2028.

The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette · Shelby Co., TN

Data center companies are requesting massive amounts of electricity from Jacksonville's JEA utility, with one September 2024 inquiry seeking 1,248 megawatts—more power than current infrastructure can support. JEA officials cite supply chain constraints and the need for dedicated substations as obstacles to meeting these demands.

News4JAX · Duval Co., FL

Georgia voters will decide two Public Service Commission seats on November 3, 2026, in a race that could reshape how the state handles data center expansion. The election outcome may determine whether Democrats gain their first three-member majority on the five-member board in three decades, with control potentially affecting electricity rates and grid expansion decisions amid a data center pipeline involving more than 100 operational facilities and 119 additional planned projects.

Hoodline · Fulton Co., GA

Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry announced Thursday he will rebrand data centers as "digital factories" and attach new requirements to a sales tax exemption for the facilities, including partnerships with universities and community commitments, as voter sentiment turns against AI data center development.

The Shreveport-Bossier City Advocate · Richland Parish, LA

Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry announced new conditions for a data center tax break and said the state will refer to data centers as "digital factories" as voter sentiment turns against AI buildouts. The economic development agency said data center companies must meet criteria including establishing university partnerships and making long-term community commitments to receive the sales tax exemption.

NOLA.com · Richland Parish, LA

Two Democratic candidates for Georgia's Public Service Commission have pledged to hold Georgia Power more accountable and ensure data centers' costs aren't passed to residential customers, potentially reshaping the state's regulatory approach to the data center industry's rapid expansion.

Bisnow · Georgia

Georgia is developing 120 data center projects planned or under construction, with major proposals including OpenAI's Project Camellia near Rincon at 3,210 megawatts and the Bridgeport campus near Moreland at 1,500 megawatts. Metro Atlanta dominates activity, with Fulton County leading at 74 existing facilities and proposed projects.

mainstreetnews.com · Fulton Co., GA

Two Shreveport officials—City Council member James Green and Caddo Parish Commissioner John Atkins—are competing in a Nov. 3 election for the Louisiana Public Service Commission's 5th District seat, which oversees utility regulation across 24 parishes and serves as home to major data center developments including Meta's $50 billion facility and Amazon's $16 billion investment.

The Hayride · Caddo Parish, LA · also at AOL.com, Yahoo, The Center Square

Public service commissions in Louisiana and Georgia will hold midterm elections for seats that could determine data center development policy. Democrats winning control of these commissions for the first time in decades could impose stricter oversight of data center projects and their energy infrastructure requirements.

The American Prospect · Louisiana

The Trinity Town Council postponed a rezoning decision Monday on 184.12 acres after more than 50 residents voiced concerns about potential industrial development, including a possible data center, near their neighborhoods. The council tabled the ordinances until Nov. 9 to research possible restrictions on future development.

Decatur Daily

A University of North Florida poll found 61 percent of likely Florida voters prioritize environmental protection over economic growth. The finding is shaping Florida's U.S. Senate race between Republican incumbent Ashley Moody and Democrat Angie Nixon, with disputes over data centers, power bills and hurricane recovery emerging as key issues.

Inside Climate News · Florida · also at WUSF

Democratic gubernatorial nominees in Florida, Georgia, Ohio and Texas have called for data center moratoriums ahead of November elections, while some Republican candidates in those states and others have proposed pauses or conditional restrictions. Industry groups oppose moratoriums, arguing they signal states are closed for business.

BizPac Review · Florida

Eatonton 379, LLC filed a Development of Regional Impact application for a data center project featuring up to 11 buildings totaling 3.5 million square feet with 520MW capacity on a 542-acre greenfield site in Putnam County near Eatonton.

Data Center Dynamics · Georgia

The Reveille, LSU's student newspaper · Louisiana

Democratic gubernatorial nominees in Florida, Georgia, Ohio and Texas have called for data center moratoriums ahead of the November election, while some Republican candidates in those states and others have proposed their own pauses. Industry groups and energy advocates argue moratoriums send a negative message to businesses, while some Democratic nominees in Minnesota and Wisconsin have stopped short of supporting one.

The Daily Caller · Florida

Alabama's Public Service Commission approved new data center rules requiring unredacted contracts to be submitted to state agencies for 90-day review, with redacted versions released publicly. Critics argue the rules lack sufficient transparency, as key cost and rate-impact information remains confidential, and a "deemed approval" provision could allow contracts to pass without public commission votes.

Inside Climate News · Alabama

Florida PSC staff recommended denying Duke Energy's data center proposal, citing concerns that it would shift costs to residential and small business customers rather than ensuring data centers bear their own service costs as required by state law. The Office of Public Counsel also opposed the proposal, while competitor Tampa Electric filed a compliant large load tariff proposal.

Food & Water Watch · Leon Co., FL

Georgia Power is expanding the state's electrical grid to accommodate anticipated hyperscale data centers, but customers worry about cost increases if the industry falters. The Georgia Public Service Commission, whose five elected members regulate utility rates, will play a crucial role in determining whether ratepayers bear infrastructure costs for data centers.

Georgia Public Broadcasting · Georgia

Georgia Public Service Commission Commissioner Peter Hubbard discusses managing the state's rapid electricity demand growth driven by data center development, emphasizing the need for rigorous utility oversight to ensure large users pay their fair share of infrastructure costs and residential customers are protected from disproportionate rate increases.

TD World · Georgia

Sen. Jon Husted calls for ending the Iran war "on America's terms" and reopening the Strait of Hormuz. He promotes affordability measures including a bill requiring data centers to pay for their own power and infrastructure, which the House passed but the Senate rejected.

NBC 15 WPMI

U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville released a governing agenda proposing to eliminate tax breaks for data centers in Alabama, requiring them to pay full costs for infrastructure and allowing local communities to decide whether projects proceed. Revenue from data center taxation would support career technical education, law enforcement, and family tax cuts.

Yellowhammer News · Alabama

Meta's Huntsville data center has attracted over 300 full-time employees and hundreds of construction workers, with the company committing to match all power usage with renewable energy and restore water usage to local watersheds by 2030. The nearly complete expansion will bring the facility's footprint to 3.5 million square feet, exceeding $1.5 billion in combined investment since groundbreaking in 2018.

256 Today · Madison Co., AL

Meta opened its Huntsville data center for tours, where company officials stated the facility matches its electricity use with renewable energy and receives power through the Tennessee Valley Authority. The company declined to disclose specific electricity and water usage figures for the facility.

WAFF · Madison Co., AL · also at WAFF

Headline onlyState Affairs Pro · Florida

A conservative media founder says Florida has provided a welcoming model for data centers under Gov. Ron DeSantis, which could benefit rural communities. Data centers have become a campaign issue in Florida's gubernatorial race between Republican Byron Donalds and Democrat David Jolly.

Florida Politics · Florida

Venture Global is expanding power capacity at its LNG export terminals in Cameron and Plaquemines parishes through agreements with energy technology companies, potentially enabling adjacent data centers. Cameron Parish officials said they learned of the plans only through public announcement, raising concerns about communication with the company.

KPLC 7 News · Louisiana

Energy advocates filed a court appeal challenging Louisiana's Public Service Commission decision to allow Meta to conceal information about its data center project near Monroe and Rayville. The appeal seeks to force Meta to disclose details about investment, job creation, and electricity demands before the Commission approves Entergy's proposed seven additional gas plants for the facility.

The Lens · Louisiana

Parallax Holdings announced plans for a $325 million data center in South Florida, though the exact location remains undisclosed. The facility is expected to generate tax revenue and create construction and permanent technical jobs, with additional details on the site and timeline coming in the following weeks.

Hoodline · Florida

District 5 candidates Sheila Edwards and Josh Tolbert debated electric rate increases, data center power demands and nuclear costs during an Atlanta Press Club forum. Edwards, a Democrat, advocated renewable energy expansion while Tolbert, a Republican engineer, argued technical expertise is needed on the Public Service Commission.

FOX 5 Atlanta · Fulton Co., GA

State Rep. Stephanie Hilferty, a Republican candidate for Louisiana's Public Service Commission District 1 seat, has received over $137,000 in campaign contributions from people and groups connected to utilities the commission regulates, including $28,000 from Entergy. While not illegal, the donations have drawn scrutiny as the commission oversees major utility decisions including AI data center power infrastructure projects.

Louisiana Illuminator · Orleans Parish, LA

Entergy Arkansas plans approximately $600 million in power infrastructure upgrades for Google's West Memphis data center, fully funded by Google. The project includes battery storage, solar power, and transmission lines, with upgrades expected by 2028, pending regulatory approval.

kjnbtv.com · Shelby Co., TN

Headline onlyWREG.com