Atlanta residents call for citywide data center moratorium (GA). West End resident urges city council to reject an exception to Atlanta's 2024 ban on data centers within a half-mile of major transit stations. Neighborhood Planning Unit V already voted against the proposed West End data center near a MARTA station. The upcoming vote will test how durable targeted zoning protections are under developer pressure. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
Harrison County, OH community weighs data center opportunities. CIC discussed data centers at its April 14 meeting — “not against data centers if they're going to bring their own infrastructure.” Bowerston Village learned it has no zoning laws to control siting. A proposed Ohio constitutional amendment would ban data centers over 25 MW. (Harrison News-Herald)
Sen. Capito says property tax revenue, not jobs, is the real data center payoff for WV. Cited Google's Putnam County plans. Stressed transparency and early engagement. If tax revenue is the primary benefit, the terms of any abatement are the single most important negotiation point. (WV MetroNews)
ERCOT projects Texas grid demand could reach 367,790 MW by 2032 — more than four times its current all-time peak of 85,508 MW. Driven by data center, crypto mining, and industrial applications. Even a fraction materializing would be unprecedented. (States News Service)
Diversified Energy CEO calls for pipeline permitting reform (WV). Natural gas prices fell from ~$7/MMBtu in January to the $2 range. Cited Mountain Valley Pipeline delays as evidence no company will commit capital under current conditions. (WV MetroNews)
Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council published a commentary citing a PwC report claiming each data center job supports six others. The PwC study was commissioned by the Data Center Coalition — an industry group. Claims deserve scrutiny.
Goldwater Institute released a “Free-Market Guide to Data Center Infrastructure” citing average salaries of $160,000. Omits the distinction between permanent operations jobs (typically dozens) and temporary construction jobs.
Nottingham Solar begins construction on 100-MW project in Harrison County, OH. $140 million Energix Renewables project. Union concern over contractor switch from union to non-union for dirt work. (Harrison News-Herald)