PJM Wins Emergency Authority to Cut Data Center Power During Heat Events
The PJM Interconnection has received emergency regulatory approval to curtail power to data centers and other large loads during periods of high electricity demand, a significant shift in how the grid operator can manage peak stress. The move reflects growing concern that surging data center load growth is outpacing available generation capacity across the mid-Atlantic and Midwest regions.
Equinix and CPP Investments Acquire atNorth for $4 Billion
Equinix and CPP Investments have agreed to acquire Nordic data center operator atNorth for $4 billion, expanding their high-performance computing and AI infrastructure footprint in Europe. The deal ranks among the largest data center acquisitions of the year.
Rowan County Passes Data Center Moratorium; 100-Plus Residents Object
Rowan County, North Carolina commissioners approved a data center moratorium after more than 100 residents appeared to voice opposition at a public hearing. The vote adds to a growing list of local governments pausing approvals as communities weigh energy and water impacts.
Senate Bill Would Make Data Centers Pay Full Grid Upgrade Costs
A new Senate proposal would require data centers to bear the full cost of transmission and distribution upgrades needed to serve their facilities, shifting expenses away from other ratepayers. The bill comes as multiple states examine how to allocate grid investment costs tied to surging data center demand.
$15 Billion Port Washington Data Center Breaks Ground in Wisconsin
Construction has begun on a $15 billion data center campus in Port Washington, Wisconsin, one of the largest single projects announced in the state. The groundbreaking drew attention from both supporters citing economic benefits and opponents concerned about infrastructure strain.
North Carolina Lawmakers Move to Shield Residents from Data Center Energy Costs
North Carolina legislators are advancing measures to prevent data centers from driving up electricity and water costs for other ratepayers, with multiple bills under review in the General Assembly. The push reflects similar efforts underway in several states as data center power consumption climbs.
Anthropic Signs Compute Deal With Elon Musk's SpaceX
Anthropic has reached a compute agreement with SpaceX, adding to a separate deal with xAI, signaling that AI labs are increasingly sourcing GPU capacity from outside traditional cloud providers. The arrangements point to compute access becoming a standalone business negotiated across the industry.
St. Louis Delays Data Center Zoning Vote After Public Pushback
St. Louis officials have postponed a vote on sweeping data center zoning regulations and released an updated proposal, inviting residents to a second public hearing. The delay follows significant community feedback on the draft rules.
CleanArc Kicks Off 900MW Hyperscale Data Center in Virginia
CleanArc Data Centers has broken ground on a 900-megawatt hyperscale campus in Virginia, one of the largest capacity announcements in the state's already dense data center corridor. No financial terms were disclosed.
Utility Megamerger Cited as Driven by Data Center Electricity Demand
A major utility merger is being attributed in part to the need to finance grid expansion driven by data center load growth, according to reporting by Finance and Commerce. The deal reflects how data center demand is reshaping utility-sector consolidation strategies.
Gallup Poll Finds 71% of Americans Oppose Local AI Data Centers
A new Gallup survey shows that 71 percent of respondents oppose siting AI data centers in their local communities, a result that researchers say reflects concerns about noise, water use, and electricity costs. The findings come as moratoriums and permit denials multiply across the country.
- Mistral AI is deploying 13,800 Nvidia GPUs in an $830 million infrastructure buildout.
- A $1.2 billion data center broke ground in Cheyenne, Wyoming, with operators claiming water-free cooling operations.
- Wisconsin Democratic lawmakers have introduced a data center moratorium bill, citing grid and environmental concerns.
- New Hampshire is considering a bill that would bar towns from enacting regulations targeting data centers specifically.
- Vineland, New Jersey residents are protesting a planned AI data center over noise and emissions concerns.