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

MORATORIUM·CNN
After a city council meeting on data centers devolved into chaos, Memphis will vote on whether to pause new construction
MORATORIUM·The Cool Down
Florida's Martin County moves to freeze big data centers over power, water strain
ZONING·The Cool Down
In Florida, St. Petersburg says standalone data centers are already off-limits

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
    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
    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
  • Oct 19
    LAWSUIT·E. Baton Rouge Parish, LA
    Groups fight Meta secrecy, claims Louisiana shielding data center records
    Two advocacy groups filed a court appeal asking Louisiana regulators to reinstate a subpoena requiring Meta to produce records on electricity demand and economic benefits for its expanding data center in Richland Parish, which Entergy Louisiana says requires over $14 billion in power infrastructure. The groups contend regulators failed to explain their decision to overturn a judge's order requiring Meta's document production.
    American Press · E. Baton Rouge Parish, LA
  • Oct 19
    MORATORIUM·Shelby Co., TN
    Data center moratorium returns to City Council with new security measures
    Daily Memphian · Shelby Co., TN
  • Oct 19
    LAWSUIT·Shelby Co., TN
    Memphis City Council has new safety measures after data center protest
    # Memphis City Council has new safety measures after data center protest Following an October 6 Memphis City Council meeting disrupted by protests, new security protocols take effect October 20, including mandatory use of front entrances with clear bag screening, restrictions on items like bullhorns and large signs, and increased police and security presence. Council members will use separate entrances and remain behind a gated dais, with public comment podium relocated behind the gates, and constituent office visits now requiring advance appointments.
    Yahoo · Shelby Co., TN
  • Oct 19
    UTILITIES·Shelby Co., TN
    Entergy-Google ‘full cost’ partnership bringing new infrastructure to Arkansas power grid
    Entergy Arkansas and Google announced a second phase of their West Memphis data center partnership, which will add approximately $600 million in infrastructure investments including battery storage systems and solar power agreements, with Google funding the full cost and generating $500 million in customer savings over 20 years beginning in 2028.
    AOL.com · Shelby Co., TN
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