Data Centers

Sam Palmisano notes that the current AI boom is underpinned by significant, long-cycle investments in data centers, chips, and energy. However, Big Tech may be forced to reconsider these spending plans if overall adoption slows or if cheaper open-source models originating from Chinese sources gain traction.

Data center projects face growing community opposition, with a Gallup survey finding that 70% of Americans do not want them built in their neighborhoods. Key concerns include the immense strain data centers put on local power grids and constant noise pollution. Although some AI giants are responding with large financial investments, locals remain worried about the limited permanent jobs provided by these installations.

Taylor Goldenstein discussed how Texas is becoming a major data center market due to factors like a lack of strict regulations, making construction faster and easier. The coverage highlights the intersection of water availability, power dynamics, and political issues surrounding the industry in the state.

Yonder Radio’s special report examines how various forms of power—including computing, economic, political, and physical resources—are shaping data center development in rural America. According to Pew Research Center, two-thirds of new data centers are slated for rural areas, creating a conflict between the need for AI infrastructure and local concerns over land, water, and energy resources. The report features analysis from Michael J. Hicks on economic expectations and grassroots opposition from Saul Levin.

Moratoria on new data center construction are being proposed by various officials, including Gov. Kathy Hochul of New York and Representatives like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Bernie Sanders. The article argues that such opposition threatens national security, stifles innovation necessary for artificial intelligence, and eliminates tax revenue needed to fund local services. It suggests that instead of moratoria, states should establish Centers of Excellence to guide local authorities toward making informed decisions.

Data center development has become a major political issue in Wisconsin, leading candidates Tom Tiffany and David Crowley to make competing promises. However, an analysis shows that both candidates have similar stances on regulation while accepting money from data center supporters. Professor Joel Rogers advises politicians to strictly regulate existing projects, inspect approvals against environmental standards, and immediately halt public funding for new facilities.

Builders within the AI industry have expressed anxiety about the technology's potential for destabilizing job losses and even human extinction from rogue AI. However, they overlooked a more publicly prominent issue: how upset people would be regarding the construction of data centers.

A leaked memo reveals that national Republican leaders are concerned about Ohio's U.S. Senate race, which has seen data centers take center stage. Campaign ads from Sherrod Brown target Jon Husted, claiming he led to the arrival of massive energy-sucking facilities in Ohio. The memo stated that if voters' perceptions of data centers are not fixed quickly, political opposition will expand far beyond Ohio.

Data center developers are suing at least three New Jersey towns—Montgomery, Andover, and Monroe—challenging local ordinances that ban the facilities, arguing the prohibitions were based on 'public hysteria.' Meanwhile, critics have cited concerns over increased water use, noise, and electricity demands in these projects, sparking a broader legal and political debate over regulation within the state.

Smaller AI firms in Asia are leading the bounce back for emerging markets this month. The tech rally is spreading, drawing investment away from established chipmaking heavyweights and into smaller companies poised to power data centers.

Democratic Rep. Suhas Subramanyam pushed for regulations on data centers in his district while cautioning that such rules should not cause the U.S. to lose its technology race to China. He stressed that any efforts must facilitate the development of emerging technologies, such as AI.

The Chesapeake City Council voted to restrict where data centers can be located within the city. This decision followed protests by several residents outside of city hall. The message from the protestors was clear: they do not want data centers in Chesapeake.

The Virginia Beach City Council unanimously decided to enact a one-year moratorium on issuing permits for data centers. This decision means there will be no new data centers permitted in Virginia Beach at least for now. Mayor Bobby Dyer spoke about the measure, stating it was intended to "put the brakes on."

Chesapeake plans to restrict data center development, and Virginia Beach is reportedly pressing pause on its approach. These cities are examples of local governments in the region and across Virginia considering land-use rules. This regulatory action aims to manage and control data centers.

The backlash against artificial intelligence and its required data centers has become a sensitive election issue. As a result, Wall Street is being forced to incorporate these developing factors into its stock market recommendations.

The podcast discusses planting trees to help restore Nashville's canopy after losses sustained during Winter Storm Fern. Additionally, the broadcast covers local news for August 18, 2026, and addresses bipartisan concerns regarding data centers.

The development of hyperscale AI data centers is beginning to shape local elections in Minnesota. MinnPost monitored six cities—Faribault, Farmington, Hermantown, Monticello, North Mankato, and Pine Island—finding that candidate filings there have increased compared with previous election years. This heightened participation means combined candidate numbers are higher than in any election over the last decade.

Republican candidate Tom Tiffany and Democratic nominee David Crowley are campaigning regarding data center construction in Wisconsin. While candidates oppose a moratorium on new AI data centers, both support stringent regulation, including policies that require companies to pay full costs for infrastructure and energy demand. Policy differences include Tiffany's support for repealing a state tax credit and the debate over protecting natural resources versus local community control.

As data centers expand across the United States, states including New York and Texas have begun implementing moratoria or pauses on new projects amid local concerns. While some worry about the strain on the power grid, major providers like Amazon, Google, Meta, and Microsoft are taking steps to mitigate risk by agreeing to pay for necessary infrastructure. The article suggests that communities should ultimately decide whether potential economic benefits outweigh the disruptions.

The push to build data centers has expanded into lower Earth orbit, presenting a new market segment. This frontier represents potential opportunities for insurers while introducing significant complexity regarding risk pricing.

The podcast explores what Lyft is building in Nashville to support Waymo’s car fleet, noting that the rollout of autonomous cabs involves a partnership between competitors. The segment also covers local news for Aug. 13, 2026, and examines the impact of data centers on power bills.

An unlikely clash exists between President Donald Trump and Gov. Greg Abbott over the future of data centers in Texas, driven by the artificial intelligence boom. Abbott is requiring data center developers to cover infrastructure costs needed to serve them and generate their own power rather than burdening state residents. Trump criticized this approach as a "mistake," emphasizing the significant economic investment data centers can bring.

The Wixom city council started reviewing proposed changes to regulate data centers through local zoning ordinances. The city is nearing the end of a six-month moratorium pausing development, while developers planning a large complex filed a lawsuit seeking court intervention.

The article argues that responding to AI technological change requires investment in American labor rather than implementing Universal Basic Income. Labor unions are driving a massive infrastructure buildout, particularly for data centers and supply chains. This effort, backed by investments like Stargate, is utilizing skilled tradespeople to power the future.

Ohio's two gubernatorial candidates, Vivek Ramaswamy and Amy Acton, propose conflicting plans for regulating future data centers. Acton supports a conditional moratorium requiring standards related to costs, labor, environment, and community benefit agreements. Conversely, Ramaswamy proposed that data centers must pay for residents’ electricity and lower property taxes while adhering to all air and water quality standards.

The article discusses an opinion that embracing data centers should be considered with appropriate guardrails in place. Additionally, the content identifies House Rep. Mark Tisdel, who represents Michigan’s 55th House District.

Indian conglomerate Adani Group has secured an $800 million loan from overseas lenders to fund its expansion into data centers. This funding was reported by people familiar with the matter.

In Ohio’s U.S. Senate race, candidates Sherrod Brown and Jon Husted offer contrasting visions regarding data center development. Brown criticized Husted’s support of developer tax breaks, advocating instead that data centers pay their full electricity costs and process waste water safely. Conversely, Husted defends new developments, arguing they create construction jobs and broaden the tax base for rural communities.

Candidates for Ohio governor, including Amy Acton, Don Kissick, and Vivek Ramaswamy, are proposing various restrictions or conditional moratoriums on the data center boom. These plans generally mandate environmental protections, such as prioritizing brownfields over farmland, and establishing community benefits. Specific proposals include requiring companies to pay electric bills or implementing clawback provisions for state tax breaks.

Georgia gubernatorial candidates Keisha Lance Bottoms and Rick Jackson presented differing views on data centers and Medicaid expansion at a Georgia Chamber of Commerce business luncheon. Bottoms proposed a temporary pause on data center construction to assess environmental and economic impacts, while Jackson supported data centers as economically beneficial, particularly for rural areas.

More than 25 towns in New Jersey have banned data centers. One town is facing a lawsuit challenging its ordinance.

A School of Mines researcher, Max Brown, highlights the need for factual analysis in debates over data centers, emphasizing their impact on energy and water systems. Public concerns about data centers in Colorado, including criticisms of their environmental and economic effects, contrast with academic efforts to model their role in the future energy grid and global AI competition.

Data centers in Texas are increasing due to developer proposals, raising concerns about their impact on the state's power grid and potential contributions to drought conditions. Texas officials lack precise data on the water and power consumption of these facilities.

Cle Elum passed a ban on data centers, but a facility might still be constructed there. Data centers are causing controversy nationwide due to the race to build AI computing power.

St. Louis is investing $25 billion in data centers to compete in the AI economy, leveraging its central location, trained workforce, and existing industries. The region is developing a regulatory framework to address community concerns about water and energy use while advancing digital infrastructure.

NASA chief Jared Isaacman discussed his NIMBY solution to address backlash against data centers during an appearance on the 'Pod Force One' podcast. Over 1,500 data centers were under construction nationwide as of this year.

Samsung has announced next-gen 3D memory technology, which is primarily targeted at data centers rather than consumer devices like consoles or PCs. The article highlights a contrast between this advanced offering and the current demand for affordable DDR5 memory.

The State Corporation Commission (SCC) ordered Dominion Energy to create a policy assigning more transmission costs to data centers and other large-load users. The decision aims to prevent residential customers from subsidizing infrastructure primarily used by data centers, with support from Governor Abigail Spanberger’s administration and environmental groups.

Virginia is preparing for House races focused on data centers, investigating a local dengue virus case in Northern Virginia, and addressing opposition to data centers in the Petersburg area. Governor Spanberger has opened applications for a new corrections advisory council, and Virginia Tech experts are providing insights on autonomous warfare in water.

PJM Interconnection, the largest U.S. grid operator, has proposed a plan to address data centers causing rising utility bills for other customers in its 13-state region. The plan shifts responsibility to states and regulated utilities to enforce measures requiring data centers to secure necessary resources.