Georgia county halts data centers until 2027 as homeowners push back on neighborhood plans

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• Aug 3
  NEWS·Jefferson Co., AL

  Pedestrian hit, killed by vehicle in Bessemer

  A 50-year-old Bessemer man was struck by a vehicle on Pocahontas Road early July 31 and died hours later at UAB Hospital. The driver remained at the scene and called authorities.

  WBRC 6 News · Jefferson Co., AL
• Aug 3
  MORATORIUM·Polk Co., FL

  Lakeland city officials approve vote on data center moratorium

  Lakeland city commissioners voted 4-3 Monday to approve a one-year moratorium on data center development, following opposition to a planned 600,000-square-foot facility near Old Tampa Highway that would consume up to 100 megawatts of power. Critics cite concerns about energy demands, water consumption, and noise, while supporters view data centers as economically beneficial.

  Spectrum Bay News 9 · Polk Co., FL
• Aug 3
  MORATORIUM·Polk Co., FL

  Lakeland officials pass 1-year data center moratorium

  Lakeland's City Commission voted 4-3 to impose a one-year moratorium on development of large-scale data centers requiring 50 megawatts or more of power, with supporters citing the need to study impacts and establish safeguards while opponents argued the language was too broad.

  Tampa Bay 28 · Polk Co., FL
• Aug 3
  MORATORIUM·Florida

  Lakeland officials approve one-year data center moratorium

  Headline onlyLakeland Ledger · Florida
• Aug 3
  NEWS·Florida

  Frank J. Russo Unveils Florida Data Center & AI Infrastructure Initiative

  Florida gubernatorial candidate Frank J. Russo announced a Data Center & AI Infrastructure Initiative designed to position Florida as a leader in artificial intelligence while protecting the state's water resources, electric grid, agriculture, and communities. Russo plans to host a community roundtable later this month with technology leaders, utilities, farmers, and environmental experts to shape future policy recommendations.

  PR Newswire · Florida
• Aug 3
  VOTE·Georgia

  Georgia Dems turn data center backlash into fight for utility commission control

  Georgia Democrats seek to gain control of the state's Public Service Commission by capitalizing on public discontent with electricity rate increases and rapid data center expansion, hoping to win a third seat in the November election. The commission oversees utility rates, and environmental groups are investigating allegations that a data center developer began construction on a natural gas power plant before obtaining required air permits.

  Washington Examiner · Georgia
• Aug 3
  UTILITIES·Georgia

  Move over Plant Vogtle: data centers are now Georgia’s big energy debate

  Georgia Power is facing mounting pressure as rapid data center expansion emerges as the state's biggest energy challenge, surpassing previous nuclear plant debates due to the massive electricity demands and concerns about environmental impact, regulation, and costs borne by ratepayers.

  WABE · Georgia
• Aug 3
  UTILITIES·Richland Parish, LA

  Entergy Says New Agreement With Meta Will Save Louisiana Ratepayers Billions

  Entergy Louisiana says Meta will fund all power infrastructure costs for its Richland Parish data center, an agreement the utility claims will save statewide customers more than $2.65 billion over 20 years through lower rates and reduced grid costs.

  96.5 KPEL · Richland Parish, LA
• Aug 3
  NEWS·Mississippi

  SpaceX Removing Gas Turbines from Mississippi Data Center

  SpaceXAI is removing 69 gas-powered turbines from its data center facility in Southhaven, Mississippi, following an agreed order with the state's Department of Environmental Quality that establishes a timeline for their removal.

  Broadband Breakfast · Mississippi
• Aug 3
  LAWSUIT·Davidson Co., TN

  Final vote looms on eminent domain for zoo-adjacent data center

  Metro Council is scheduled for a final vote Tuesday on Mayor Freddie O'Connell's proposal to use eminent domain to acquire a property where DC Blox plans to build a data center adjacent to the Nashville Zoo. The company closed a $23 million purchase of the site and applied for a building permit despite Metro's legislative efforts to stop the project.

  Axios · Davidson Co., TN
• Aug 3
  NEWS·Tennessee

  Tennessee's biggest data centers consume millions of gallons daily. See how much

  Headline onlyThe Tennessean · Tennessee · also at tennessean.com
• Aug 3
  LAWSUIT·Shelby Co., TN

  SpaceX Vows to Keep Poisoning Nearby Towns With Its Fume-Belching Data Center For Another Year

  SpaceX said it will replace portable gas turbines powering its data centers near Memphis, Tennessee, with a natural gas power plant by July 2027, after facing criticism over unpermitted emissions. The company currently operates 69 portable turbines that locals and environmental groups say emit harmful pollutants and have been linked to respiratory problems.

  Futurism · Shelby Co., TN