All the latest updates on AI data centers

Massive new data centers are the physical foundation for tech companies’ hopes and dreams for AI. But the rush to expand warehouses full of energy-hungry servers has also kicked up fights across the world over their impact on power grids, utility bills, nearby communities, and the environment.

From audacious plans to launch data centers into space to the latest legal battles over pollution, The Verge has the biggest news and reporting surrounding data centers.

Aug 28 Justine Calma A Microsoft-backed data center has reportedly been running on unpermitted generators. Data center developers typically have to apply for permits to install generators that create local air pollution. The DataOne facility in New Jersey is the latest project accused of violating federal law by running on gas-fired generators without approval. One of East Coast’s largest data centers accused of ‘violating federal law' [ Floodlight ]

Data center developers typically have to apply for permits to install generators that create local air pollution. The DataOne facility in New Jersey is the latest project accused of violating federal law by running on gas-fired generators without approval.

Aug 28 Justine Calma Trump’s EPA wants to let data centers hide their air pollution Just as new data centers face growing backlash from neighboring communities, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is about to make it harder for people to weigh in on any pollution those centers create. The EPA plans to toss out a federal rule requiring public notice and an opportunity to comment when certain industrial sites apply for an air permit. Advocates warn that the move would allow data center developers and other industries to break ground without giving nearby residents a say, or even a warning that construction is planned. Read Article >

Just as new data centers face growing backlash from neighboring communities, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is about to make it harder for people to weigh in on any pollution those centers create.

The EPA plans to toss out a federal rule requiring public notice and an opportunity to comment when certain industrial sites apply for an air permit. Advocates warn that the move would allow data center developers and other industries to break ground without giving nearby residents a say, or even a warning that construction is planned.

Aug 26 Jay Peters This week in the big AI data center buildout. AI data center projects are continuing to pop up across the US, with frequent opposition from locals concerned about their impact. Here are a few recent articles about the projects: Bay Journal : Data centers face bans, moratoriums across Bay region The Hill : Rising data center backlash shakes up midterm races KVUE: Austin City Council considers new rules for large data centers WPEC: Palm Beach County could be next local government to temporarily ban data centers

AI data center projects are continuing to pop up across the US, with frequent opposition from locals concerned about their impact. Here are a few recent articles about the projects:

Aug 25 Richard Lawler Now OpenAI’s former head of data centers is out. The Wall Street Journal and Bloomberg report that Chris Malone, a “key executive” leading OpenAI’s massive build-out plans, left the company last week. The WSJ reports that Malone, who held similar roles at Meta and Google before joining OpenAI in early 2025, had previously reported directly to OpenAI president and cofounder Greg Brockman , but that changed earlier this year amid other reshuffling. It’s Greg Brockman’s OpenAI now Hayden Field Aug 20

The Wall Street Journal and Bloomberg report that Chris Malone, a “key executive” leading OpenAI’s massive build-out plans, left the company last week. The WSJ reports that Malone, who held similar roles at Meta and Google before joining OpenAI in early 2025, had previously reported directly to OpenAI president and cofounder Greg Brockman , but that changed earlier this year amid other reshuffling.

Aug 25 Justine Calma There’s a surge of new gas projects being built to power data centers in the US. Proposals for new gas-fired power capacity tied to data centers nearly doubled in the first half of 2026, according to a Global Energy Monitor report . Nearly a third of that new capacity would come online in Texas, more than in any other state or country. Data Centers Are Driving an Alarming Gas Power Expansion in the US [ WIRED ]

Proposals for new gas-fired power capacity tied to data centers nearly doubled in the first half of 2026, according to a Global Energy Monitor report . Nearly a third of that new capacity would come online in Texas, more than in any other state or country.

Aug 23 Richard Lawler The latest turn in the data center debate. The Wall Street Journal and New York Times are both reporting on politicians like Greg Abbott and Josh Shapiro suddenly bashing types of projects they once championed . The Washington Post has a chart showing how online posts about data centers from both Democrat and Republican politicians have shifted from being mostly positive in early 2025 to being mostly negative. On Sunday, Abbott appeared on ABC’s This Week , saying that by moving too fast, the industry “…basically dug their own grave for the problem that’s been caused for them, and that’s why they got the backlash they deserve.”

The Wall Street Journal and New York Times are both reporting on politicians like Greg Abbott and Josh Shapiro suddenly bashing types of projects they once championed . The Washington Post has a chart showing how online posts about data centers from both Democrat and Republican politicians have shifted from being mostly positive in early 2025 to being mostly negative.

On Sunday, Abbott appeared on ABC’s This Week , saying that by moving too fast, the industry “…basically dug their own grave for the problem that’s been caused for them, and that’s why they got the backlash they deserve.”

Aug 19 Jay Peters This week in the big AI data center buildout. AI data center projects are continuing to pop up across the US, with frequent opposition from locals concerned about their impact. Here are a few recent articles about the projects: CBS Austin: Taylor Planning Commission tables data center proposal for 90 days after pushback Fox 13 News: City council to revisit resolution regarding data centers in Spanish Fork after hours of public comment Louisville Public Media: Louisville Metro Council approves data center moratorium as new proposal sparks controversy WHYY: Pennsylvania Gov. Shapiro signs wide-ranging executive order reining in data center development

Aug 17 Emma Roth Nvidia guarantees up to $105 billion to support an OpenAI data center. The news comes as part of OpenAI’s plans to lease an Ohio data center being built by SB Energy, a subsidiary of SoftBank. The deal will allow OpenAI to secure 8 gigawatts of capacity, with the first 800 megawatts expected to come online in 2028. Nvidia will also invest $1.5 billion in SB Energy. Nvidia to Invest Up to $105 Billion for OpenAI Data Center [ Bloomberg ]

The news comes as part of OpenAI’s plans to lease an Ohio data center being built by SB Energy, a subsidiary of SoftBank. The deal will allow OpenAI to secure 8 gigawatts of capacity, with the first 800 megawatts expected to come online in 2028. Nvidia will also invest $1.5 billion in SB Energy.

Aug 12 Jay Peters This week in the big AI data center buildout. AI data center projects are continuing to pop up across the US, with frequent opposition from locals concerned about their impact. Here are a few recent articles about the projects: Atlanta News First : Lovejoy data center proposal withdrawn after community pushback FlagerLive.com : Flagler County Echoes Surging Backlash Against Data Centers with One-Year Construction Ban MLive.com : Data-center developer sues Oakland County city Ohio Capital Journal : All candidates for Ohio governor have now called for restrictions on data center boom Spectrum News 1 : Community opposition grows as Louisville weighs data center code changes

Aug 8 Terrence O'Brien An Amazon data center could have the worst polluting power plant in the country To power its new West Texas data center, Amazon is investing in the construction of a new power plant that could be one of the largest single producers of greenhouse gases in the US, according to The New York Times . The new gas-burning plant in Pecos County, Texas, has received significant investment from Amazon and, at least initially, would not be connected to the state’s power grid. Instead, its 35 natural-gas turbines would primarily deliver its 7.65 gigawatts of electricity to the new data center. According to Cleanview , which tracks data centers and their associated power projects, GW Ranch received a permit from Texas allowing for the emission of up to 33 million tons of CO2, more than even the largest coal plant in the country. Plants rarely emit as much greenhouse gas as their permits allow, but it’s still notable that the restrictions on its pollution levels are so lax. Amazon has confirmed that it purchased the site and plans to purchase power from GW Ranch. Read Article >

To power its new West Texas data center, Amazon is investing in the construction of a new power plant that could be one of the largest single producers of greenhouse gases in the US, according to The New York Times . The new gas-burning plant in Pecos County, Texas, has received significant investment from Amazon and, at least initially, would not be connected to the state’s power grid. Instead, its 35 natural-gas turbines would primarily deliver its 7.65 gigawatts of electricity to the new data center.

According to Cleanview , which tracks data centers and their associated power projects, GW Ranch received a permit from Texas allowing for the emission of up to 33 million tons of CO2, more than even the largest coal plant in the country. Plants rarely emit as much greenhouse gas as their permits allow, but it’s still notable that the restrictions on its pollution levels are so lax. Amazon has confirmed that it purchased the site and plans to purchase power from GW Ranch.

Aug 6 Nilay Patel The left and right agree on one thing: no data centers Today, I’m talking with Gaby Del Valle, a policy reporter here at The Verge , about the growing backlash against AI data centers. Gaby recently reported a fantastic piece about Hernando County, Florida, where last month the county commission unanimously approved a yearlong moratorium on data center construction. She attended a protest there organized by a group called Humans First , a conservative grassroots movement focused on combating AI data center build-outs. Read Article >

Today, I’m talking with Gaby Del Valle, a policy reporter here at The Verge , about the growing backlash against AI data centers.

Gaby recently reported a fantastic piece about Hernando County, Florida, where last month the county commission unanimously approved a yearlong moratorium on data center construction. She attended a protest there organized by a group called Humans First , a conservative grassroots movement focused on combating AI data center build-outs.

Aug 5 Jay Peters This week in the big AI data center buildout. AI data center projects are continuing to pop up across the US, with frequent opposition from locals concerned about their impact. Here are a few recent articles about the projects: CBS News: Pittsburg residents want city to pause data center project Maryland Matters: Amazon abandons plans for data center campus at Calvert Cliffs OPB: Oregon Gov. Kotek stops state from selling land for Salem data center Politico Magazine : Anger Over Data Centers Is Fueling a New Political Movement

Aug 4 Jay Peters At least 37 people have reportedly been arrested for protesting data centers. Futurism made the tally . The publication also found 12 cases involving police intervention to try and stop protestors from “from confronting civic leaders,” though noted that the tally is “likely much higher.” The Number of Regular People Being Arrested for Protesting Data Centers Is Astounding [ Futurism ]

Futurism made the tally . The publication also found 12 cases involving police intervention to try and stop protestors from “from confronting civic leaders,” though noted that the tally is “likely much higher.”

Aug 4 Lauren Feiner Texas says data centers must pass an audit before connecting to the grid Texas announced new a audit on data centers that could slow approval for new facilities seeking to connect to the state energy grid. Governor Greg Abbott (R) on Monday directed the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) and the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) to verify and audit new data center proposals, writing that the review is needed to “keep the grid stable and reliable.” Data centers will need to provide information on state and local incentives they’ve received, how much they’d rely on the state grid, expected water consumption and sources, and how they plan to track community impacts including noise. Read Article >

Texas announced new a audit on data centers that could slow approval for new facilities seeking to connect to the state energy grid.

Governor Greg Abbott (R) on Monday directed the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) and the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) to verify and audit new data center proposals, writing that the review is needed to “keep the grid stable and reliable.” Data centers will need to provide information on state and local incentives they’ve received, how much they’d rely on the state grid, expected water consumption and sources, and how they plan to track community impacts including noise.

Jul 29 Jay Peters This week in the big AI data center buildout. AI data center projects are continuing to pop up across the US, with frequent opposition from locals concerned about their impact. Here are a few recent articles about the projects: Data Center Dynamics : Developer withdraws plan to replace hotel with data center in El Segundo, California The Salt Lake Tribune : Utahns speak out as yet another data center is planned near the Great Salt Lake Wisconsin Watch : The public demanded data center news, and Wisconsin Watch is delivering Washington Examiner : DMV counties push for pause on data center construction in nation’s hot spot

Jul 29 Jay Peters Willie Nelson is pushing back against data centers in his hometown. “The last thing we need is a loud, water thieving, light polluting, data center anywhere near our town (or any others for that matter),” Nelson says .

“The last thing we need is a loud, water thieving, light polluting, data center anywhere near our town (or any others for that matter),” Nelson says .

Jul 28 Jay Peters Meta and BlackRock are building a data center campus together. The campus will be located in El Paso, Texas and is already under construction. It will have “1 gigawatt of compute capacity” and “will play an essential role in bringing Meta’s AI technologies to life.” BlackRock will own an 80 percent interest, while Meta will own a 20 percent interest. The data center is expected to come online in 2028. Meta Announces New Strategic Venture With BlackRock to Develop Data Center in El Paso [ Meta Newsroom ]

The campus will be located in El Paso, Texas and is already under construction. It will have “1 gigawatt of compute capacity” and “will play an essential role in bringing Meta’s AI technologies to life.” BlackRock will own an 80 percent interest, while Meta will own a 20 percent interest.

The data center is expected to come online in 2028.

Jul 22 Jess Weatherbed Utility companies promise to spare us from AI’s energy bill In the face of backlash to concerns the AI boom will increase consumer electricity bills, the largest utility companies and data center developers in the US are now promising to do something about it. The Wall Street Journal reports that nearly 200 organizations have signed President Donald Trump’s “rate payer protection pledge” that’s meant to safeguard average citizens from footing the AI bill. Trump is expected to announce the new signatories on Thursday, which include NextEra Energy, Duke Energy, Equinix, and Digital Realty, according to a list obtained by The WSJ . An unnamed White House official told the publication that those who have committed to the pledge now account for about 80 percent of all power delivered to homes and businesses across the US. Read Article >

In the face of backlash to concerns the AI boom will increase consumer electricity bills, the largest utility companies and data center developers in the US are now promising to do something about it. The Wall Street Journal reports that nearly 200 organizations have signed President Donald Trump’s “rate payer protection pledge” that’s meant to safeguard average citizens from footing the AI bill.

Trump is expected to announce the new signatories on Thursday, which include NextEra Energy, Duke Energy, Equinix, and Digital Realty, according to a list obtained by The WSJ . An unnamed White House official told the publication that those who have committed to the pledge now account for about 80 percent of all power delivered to homes and businesses across the US.

Jul 17 Emma Roth Meta reportedly considers leasing computing power to Anthropic. Sources tell The New York Times that the deal could be valued at $10 billion over two years, with Anthropic paying Meta in monthly increments. Though Anthropic plans to invest $50 billion in building out its own data centers, it has already struck multibillion-dollar deals to access computing power from SpaceX and TeraWulf . Meta in Talks to Lease Computing Power to Anthropic in Potential $10 Billion Deal [ The New York Times ]

Sources tell The New York Times that the deal could be valued at $10 billion over two years, with Anthropic paying Meta in monthly increments. Though Anthropic plans to invest $50 billion in building out its own data centers, it has already struck multibillion-dollar deals to access computing power from SpaceX and TeraWulf .

Jul 15 Jay Peters This week in the big AI data center buildout. AI data center projects are continuing to pop up across the US, with frequent opposition from locals concerned about their impact. Here are a few recent articles about the projects: Atlanta Community Press Collective : Marietta City Council tables approval of new data center KATU 2: Massive $5.1B data center proposed for Salem draws praise and pushback The Texas Tribune : A data center proposed at a quiet corner of East Texas leaves a community bracing for a boom WWSB: Sarasota County blocks hyperscale data centers for at least one year

Jul 15 Thomas Ricker AI’s power bill is here. The largest US electrical grid operator, PJM, will add $6.3 billion in electricity costs for consumers across 13 states due to the booming energy demands of data centers. The rate hikes will hit millions of households and businesses over the next two years, adding to the $29 billion in costs that data centers have added to PJM regions since 2024. Data Centers to Add Billions in Power Costs in 13 States [ nytimes.com ]

The largest US electrical grid operator, PJM, will add $6.3 billion in electricity costs for consumers across 13 states due to the booming energy demands of data centers. The rate hikes will hit millions of households and businesses over the next two years, adding to the $29 billion in costs that data centers have added to PJM regions since 2024.

Jul 14 Lauren Feiner New York becomes the first state to enact a data center moratorium New hyperscale data centers can’t set up shop in New York for up to a year now that Governor Kathy Hochul (D) has signed the nation’s first statewide moratorium. But a bill passed by the state legislature that could restrict even more developments still awaits her signature. The order blocks new environmental permits for data centers over 50 megawatts, which the governor’s office says will give the state time to come up with the regulations needed to protect residents from rising energy prices and environmental impact. That’s higher than the 20 megawatt threshold approved by state lawmakers . Hochul’s office could not immediately identify the number of proposals that would be impacted by the order, but says the threshold is meant to prevent disruption to smaller data centers used by institutions like hospitals. Hochul has not yet said whether she will sign the moratorium passed through the legislature, but the executive action allows her to enact a first-in-the-nation pause while reviewing the bill. Read Article >

New hyperscale data centers can’t set up shop in New York for up to a year now that Governor Kathy Hochul (D) has signed the nation’s first statewide moratorium. But a bill passed by the state legislature that could restrict even more developments still awaits her signature.

The order blocks new environmental permits for data centers over 50 megawatts, which the governor’s office says will give the state time to come up with the regulations needed to protect residents from rising energy prices and environmental impact. That’s higher than the 20 megawatt threshold approved by state lawmakers . Hochul’s office could not immediately identify the number of proposals that would be impacted by the order, but says the threshold is meant to prevent disruption to smaller data centers used by institutions like hospitals. Hochul has not yet said whether she will sign the moratorium passed through the legislature, but the executive action allows her to enact a first-in-the-nation pause while reviewing the bill.

Jul 12 Emma Roth The fight against AI data centers is just beginning This is The Stepback , a weekly newsletter breaking down one essential story from the tech world. For more on the data center buildout, follow Emma Roth . The Stepback arrives in our subscribers’ inboxes on Sunday at 8AM ET. Opt in for The Stepback here . Years before the AI boom threatened local power grids, a small group of protesters set the stage for the battles cropping up across communities today. In 2015, Apple announced plans to build a roughly $1 billion data center in the sleepy town of Athenry, Ireland. The data center’s 500-acre site would power Apple’s services in Europe, including iTunes, iMessage, and Siri. At the time, Apple said the data center would offer outdoor education spaces, walking trails, and an initiative to replant native trees. It would also use 100 percent renewable energy. With the approval from the local government and plans to give back to the community, Apple likely didn’t anticipate the lengthy battle it was about to face. Read Article >

This is The Stepback , a weekly newsletter breaking down one essential story from the tech world. For more on the data center buildout, follow Emma Roth . The Stepback arrives in our subscribers’ inboxes on Sunday at 8AM ET. Opt in for The Stepback here .

Years before the AI boom threatened local power grids, a small group of protesters set the stage for the battles cropping up across communities today. In 2015, Apple announced plans to build a roughly $1 billion data center in the sleepy town of Athenry, Ireland. The data center’s 500-acre site would power Apple’s services in Europe, including iTunes, iMessage, and Siri. At the time, Apple said the data center would offer outdoor education spaces, walking trails, and an initiative to replant native trees. It would also use 100 percent renewable energy. With the approval from the local government and plans to give back to the community, Apple likely didn’t anticipate the lengthy battle it was about to face.

Jul 10 Stevie Bonifield Would you host part of an AI data center in your home? A solar and home energy storage company is expanding into AI data centers, but not by building one — instead, it’s offering to pay its customers to put its compute units in their homes. Sunrun is launching a pilot program for a new “distributed AI compute” program that will “place numerous compute nodes in homes equipped with Sunrun solar and battery storage systems.” Customers will be “compensated” for participating in the pilot program. Sunrun plans to sell the distributed compute power from the nodes to “enterprise compute buyers,” like AI companies. It’s a new approach to finding resources and space for AI compute infrastructure, as data centers face increasing pushback across the country. A survey released in May showed that over 70 percent of Americans oppose construction of new data centers in their area, often because of concerns over pollution, noise, and water and electricity use . Read Article >

A solar and home energy storage company is expanding into AI data centers, but not by building one — instead, it’s offering to pay its customers to put its compute units in their homes. Sunrun is launching a pilot program for a new “distributed AI compute” program that will “place numerous compute nodes in homes equipped with Sunrun solar and battery storage systems.” Customers will be “compensated” for participating in the pilot program.

Sunrun plans to sell the distributed compute power from the nodes to “enterprise compute buyers,” like AI companies. It’s a new approach to finding resources and space for AI compute infrastructure, as data centers face increasing pushback across the country. A survey released in May showed that over 70 percent of Americans oppose construction of new data centers in their area, often because of concerns over pollution, noise, and water and electricity use .

Jul 8 Jay Peters This week in the big AI data center buildout. AI data center projects are continuing to pop up across the US, with frequent opposition from locals concerned about their impact. Here are a few recent articles about the projects: E&E News : The data center boom — and its tax promises — run into rural resistance in North Carolina Fox 5 Atlanta : Douglas County data center sparks resident pushback Missouri Independent : Data center backlash spills into Missouri primaries as GOP candidates demand action The San Francisco Chronicle : Calistoga won’t pursue data center at fairgrounds after resident backlash