Nashville Has Begun Regulating Data Centers. Now the Energy Conversation Must Catch Up.

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• Aug 3
  LAWSUIT·Morgan Co., AL

  State Sen. Arthur Orr: Data centers needed, ‘just need to be deliberate about it all’

  State Sen. Arthur Orr says Alabama needs data centers but advocates for a measured approach, citing concerns about rising electricity rates and potential conflicts with other economic development projects. Several cities have implemented temporary moratoriums while the debate continues statewide.

  Data centers Archives - Yellowhammer News · Morgan Co., AL
• Aug 3
  MORATORIUM·Jefferson Co., AL

  Should Alabama pause data center development? Here’s what you said

  AL.com · Jefferson Co., AL
• Aug 3
  NEWS·Florida

  NextEra Energy Is Becoming the Utility Sector's Biggest AI Power Bet -- Here Are the Numbers That Prove It

  NextEra Energy's Florida utility FPL has about 21 gigawatts of interest from large-load data center customers, with 12 gigawatts in active discussions potentially starting service by 2028. The company is developing 30 potential data center hubs nationally and agreed to combine with Dominion Energy to create the world's largest regulated electric utility.

  AOL.com · Florida
• 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·Paulding Co., GA

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

  Paulding County, Georgia officials voted Tuesday to halt new data center projects until January 1, 2027, while the county revises development standards following months of resident opposition over neighborhood-scale facilities and concerns about electricity costs, noise, and environmental impacts.

  The Cool Down · Paulding Co., GA
• Aug 3
  MORATORIUM·Houston Co., GA

  Mayor explains what Warner Robins is studying during its data center moratorium

  Warner Robins is using a six-month moratorium on data center applications to study potential impacts on water, utilities, zoning and property values. The city will solicit community input at upcoming council meetings before determining whether data centers fit the community's character.

  41NBC News · Houston Co., GA
• 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