The Load Report Oct 20, 2026 🔍 Subscribe
Data center siting news for the Southeast
PERMIT· Fulton Co., GA·datacenterknowledge

[Industry Event] Advancing Data Center Construction East 2026

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Top Stories

UTILITIES·Construction Review
$4bn West Memphis Data Center Project: Google Adds $600M in Solar, Storage and Grid Upgrades
NEWS·The Tennessean
On the Issues: How governor candidates would handle AI, data centers
MORATORIUM·WKMG
Orange County mayoral candidates share concerns about large AI data centers

The Latest

  • Oct 20
    VOTE·Jefferson Co., AL
    Fairfield leaders discuss C-PACE financing tool that could help businesses, proposed data center
    Fairfield city leaders discussed adopting C-PACE, a financing tool allowing businesses to seek private funding for building upgrades like LED lighting and HVAC systems. The council tabled the issue, while protesters urged transparency regarding a proposed Patmos data center project in a former Walmart building.
    WBRC · Jefferson Co., AL
  • Oct 20
    MORATORIUM·Alabama
    ‘No data centers’: Fairfield residents question possible Patmos data center, C-PACE financing
    Fairfield residents protested outside City Hall over a proposed Patmos data center and a potential $150 million C-PACE financing arrangement, demanding transparency about the project's status and financial details. Mayor Herman Carnes stated C-PACE is a separate financing tool for eligible businesses and not city debt, while residents called for released documents and public meetings before decisions are made.
    wvtm · Alabama
  • Oct 20
    MORATORIUM·Florida
    Florida's Martin County moves to freeze big data centers over power, water strain
    Martin County, Florida commissioners are considering a one-year moratorium on new large-scale data center applications in unincorporated areas to study potential impacts on power, water, and infrastructure. The proposal, which passed its first reading unanimously on Oct. 13, will face a final vote at a public hearing on Oct. 27.
    The Cool Down · Florida · also at Yahoo
  • Oct 20
    ZONING·Florida
    In Florida, St. Petersburg says standalone data centers are already off-limits
    St. Petersburg's planning director determined that the city's existing zoning code already prohibits standalone data centers, including large AI-related facilities, as neither permitted principal uses nor special exceptions. The interpretation comes as Pinellas County communities assess how data center growth could strain electricity demand, water supplies, and available land.
    The Cool Down · Florida · also at Yahoo
  • Oct 20
    LAWSUIT·Coweta Co., GA
    Thousands of Georgia voters push for first-of-its-kind election on data centers
    More than 14,000 Coweta County, Georgia residents signed a petition seeking to overturn county commissioners' approval of Project Sail, a nine-building data center campus, and ban future data centers through a rarely-used Georgia constitutional home rule provision that could trigger a special election if certified.
    WSB-TV · Coweta Co., GA · also at Yahoo
  • Oct 20
    NEWS·Fulton Co., GA
    $1 billion investment from Georgia Tech and Emory bets big on AI
    Georgia Tech and Emory announced a joint $1.1 billion investment in AI infrastructure, with Georgia Tech committing $575 million and Emory $600 million. The universities aim to establish Atlanta as a premier destination for AI talent and innovation, with Georgia Tech focusing on computing and workforce development while Emory emphasizes healthcare and applications across multiple disciplines.
    SaportaReport · Fulton Co., GA
  • Oct 20
    VOTE·Shelby Co., TN
    Google expands partnership with Entergy Arkansas, will fund renewable energy and grid upgrades for West Memphis data center
    Google has expanded its partnership with Entergy Arkansas to fund renewable energy projects and grid upgrades supporting a planned 600MW data center in West Memphis. The deal includes a 440MW solar Power Purchase Agreement, battery storage facilities totaling 1.4GWh by 2028, and substation expansions, with Google covering all associated costs.
    Data Center Dynamics · Shelby Co., TN
  • Oct 20
    MORATORIUM·Shelby Co., TN
    After a city council meeting on data centers devolved into chaos, Memphis will vote on whether to pause new construction
    Memphis leaders will vote Tuesday on a moratorium that would temporarily pause new data center construction and expansion for up to a year while establishing regulations. The vote follows an October meeting where over 100 residents gathered to oppose the measure, resulting in disruptions, police involvement, and a physical altercation.
    CNN · Shelby Co., TN
  • Oct 20
    ZONING·Montgomery Co. (TN), TN
    Montgomery County Commission approves data center regulations
    The Montgomery County Commission approved new regulations for data centers and power plants on Monday, establishing permitting requirements in industrial zones. The measure includes a 500-foot setback requirement where data center properties adjoin residential areas.
    Main Street Media of Tennessee · Montgomery Co. (TN), TN
  • Oct 20
    VOTE·Tennessee
    Data center critics are 'misinformed,' workers say, but Tennessee shows the risks of a rush
    Data center industry workers defend the sector as essential to technology services, but even pro-industry commenters acknowledge risks from rapid expansion without proper planning, citing Tennessee's xAI facility as an example where utility capacity proved insufficient for demand.
    The Cool Down · Tennessee
  • Oct 20
  • Oct 20
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