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NYU Researcher Advocates for Increased Community Contributions from Data Centers

NYU Researcher Advocates for Increased Community Contributions from Data Centers

NYU Researcher Advocates for Increased Community Contributions from Data Centers
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BloombergNEF Projects Quadrupling of Data Center Power Demand by 2035, Raising Climate Concerns

BloombergNEF Projects Quadrupling of Data Center Power Demand by 2035, Raising Climate Concerns

BloombergNEF Projects Quadrupling of Data Center Power Demand by 2035, Raising Climate Concerns
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JGT2 Redevelopment Revives Plans for Data Center at Former Jay Paper Mill in Maine

JGT2 Redevelopment Revives Plans for Data Center at Former Jay Paper Mill in Maine

JGT2 Redevelopment Revives Plans for Data Center at Former Jay Paper Mill in Maine
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Ohio State University Researchers Project Significant Increase in Data Center Electricity Consumption by 2030

Ohio State University Researchers Project Significant Increase in Data Center Electricity Consumption by 2030

Researchers at Ohio State University's College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences project that data centers belonging to six major technology companies could more than double their global electricity consumption by 2030 compared to 2024 levels. This increase is largely driven by the growing demand for artificial intelligence (AI). The study, published in Communications Sustainability, estimates that these companies' combined annual data center electricity use worldwide could rise from approximately 118 terawatt-hours in 2024 to between 239 and 295 terawatt-hours by 2030, accounting for roughly 1% of projected global electricity demand. Ohio is identified as one of the states expected to experience particularly high demand, with the six companies' data centers potentially consuming over 15 terawatt-hours annually by 2030. This amount is roughly one-tenth of the electricity sold to all Ohio customers in 2024, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. The study focused on Amazon, ...
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OpenAI Clarifies Role as 'Potential Offtaker' for Argentina's Stargate Data Center Project Amid U.S. Resistance

OpenAI Clarifies Role as 'Potential Offtaker' for Argentina's Stargate Data Center Project Amid U.S. Resistance

OpenAI Clarifies Role as 'Potential Offtaker' for Argentina's Stargate Data Center Project Amid U.S. Resistance
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Minneapolis City Council Advances New Data Center Regulations Amid Development Scrutiny

Minneapolis City Council Advances New Data Center Regulations Amid Development Scrutiny

The Minneapolis City Council is set to vote on new regulations for data centers, following a committee's recommendation for approval. The proposed ordinance would allow data centers in existing buildings within two downtown zoning districts, but with a limit on 'white space' (the area housing servers) to 150,000 square feet. This measure comes after previous attempts at stricter regulations, including a total ban, failed. Under the new proposal, data centers would not be permitted as the sole use of a property, and servers would need to be at least 20 feet from exterior walls and 100 feet from residential housing. Owners would also be required to disclose projected water, electricity, and backup generator usage, along with a plan to mitigate noise. The Planning Commission had recommended even stricter limits, but Mayor Jacob Frey reportedly indicated he would veto such stringent regulations.
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North Dakotans Express Significant Concerns Over Data Center Impact on Power and Water Resources

North Dakotans Express Significant Concerns Over Data Center Impact on Power and Water Resources

A recent North Dakota Poll reveals widespread concern among residents regarding the potential strain data centers could place on the state's electricity and water resources. Seventy-six percent of respondents expressed concern about data centers increasing electricity bills, with 49% being 'very concerned.' This concern was highest in Fargo and Cass County, where 54% were 'very concerned.' Similarly, 76% of North Dakotans are worried about data center water usage straining local systems, and 45% are 'very concerned.' The poll, commissioned by the North Dakota News Cooperative, also found that 42% are more concerned about AI data centers than traditional ones. State Representative Zachary Ista noted that these concerns about risks outweigh optimism regarding potential tax revenue and job creation, with only 19% seeing data centers as important for job creation and 23% for local tax revenue. Overall, 45% oppose AI data center development statewide.
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Arizona Data Center Boom Pressures Power Grid, Raises Questions on Electricity Costs

Arizona Data Center Boom Pressures Power Grid, Raises Questions on Electricity Costs

Arizona's booming data center industry is creating immense pressure on the state's power grid, leading to record electricity usage and prompting questions about who will bear the costs. Arizona Public Service (APS), the state's largest power provider, recorded an all-time high usage rate of 9,164 megawatts (MW) on August 2, 2026, a 6% increase from the previous year. Data centers accounted for 7% of APS's peak demand last summer, and dozens more are planned or under construction. Two proposed projects in the desert west of Phoenix, Tract in Buckeye and Hassayampa Ranch, could draw up to 3,300 MW combined, equivalent to powering approximately 528,000 Arizona homes. APS is seeking state regulatory approval to raise residential rates by 14% and extra-large user rates, including data centers, by 45%. This has sparked concerns among consumer advocates and residents, who are already facing soaring electricity bills, with some homeowners seeing bills over $1,000 a month during summer.
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Minneapolis City Council to Vote on Sweeping Data Center Regulations

Minneapolis City Council to Vote on Sweeping Data Center Regulations

The Minneapolis City Council is poised to vote on new, comprehensive regulations for data centers on November 12, ahead of a six-month moratorium expiration on November 21. The proposed rules aim to restrict data centers to existing buildings located only in downtown or the North Loop areas of the city. These facilities would be capped at a maximum size of 150,000 square feet, and any modifications to existing buildings would be minimal. To mitigate potential noise pollution, the regulations stipulate that computer equipment must be positioned at least 20 feet away from exterior building walls. While the city cannot legally limit energy or water consumption, the new rules will mandate that data center companies disclose their usage of these resources to the city. This move comes as the city seeks to manage the growth of data centers, with eight already present downtown and interest from Xcel Energy indicating potential for up to eight more projects.
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Nvidia's Communication with Commerce Department Preceded Transfer of Chip Probe to Justice Department

Nvidia's Communication with Commerce Department Preceded Transfer of Chip Probe to Justice Department

Nvidia's General Counsel, Tim Teter, contacted U.S. Commerce Department investigators in August 2025 regarding an investigation into Megaspeed, a Singapore-based data center company suspected of illegally diverting advanced Nvidia AI chips to China. Teter reportedly stated that senior Commerce official Jeff Kessler, who oversees export-control operations and reports directly to Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, had given him permission to contact the investigators. This communication raised concerns among Commerce officials about potential compromise of the investigation. Subsequently, the Justice Department requested that the Commerce Department suspend its work and transfer the case, leading to a criminal investigation into Megaspeed. This transfer was considered unusual given that Commerce investigators had spent months building the case and could have pursued administrative actions to restrict Megaspeed's access to U.S. technology. Megaspeed had imported significant amounts of Nvidia AI equipment into...
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U.S. Data Center Construction Surges Amidst AI Demand, Facing Delays and Workforce Shortages

U.S. Data Center Construction Surges Amidst AI Demand, Facing Delays and Workforce Shortages

U.S. Data Center Construction Surges Amidst AI Demand, Facing Delays and Workforce Shortages
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European AI Sector Faces Energy Crisis as Data Centers Strain Power Grids

European AI Sector Faces Energy Crisis as Data Centers Strain Power Grids

European AI Sector Faces Energy Crisis as Data Centers Strain Power Grids