WHAT’S HAPPENING TODAY:
asserted
WHAT → happen → ?
It might not feel like fall in D.C., with the humidity and warmer weather today, but the leaves have been changing colors!
uncertain
leaves → feel → colors
If you’re looking to take some fall photos in the area, here are a few places to check out!
asserted
places → look → area
In today’s newsletter, we take a closer look at how newly elected Democratic governors could slow down data center development.
uncertain
governors → take → development
If a friend sent this to you and you’d like to sign up, click here.
asserted
you → send → you
If signing up doesn’t work, shoot us an email, and we’ll add you to our list.
asserted
we → sign → list
Data center projects face challenges in states where newly elected Democratic governors have vowed to halt or impose restrictions on development.
asserted
governors → face → development
Not only did they support ballot measures that would make developing these projects more difficult, but they also elected Democratic officials who have criticized the industry.
asserted
who → support → industry
Here are the states where data center development could slow:
uncertain
development → slow → ?
Texans elected Democrat Gina Hinojosa, who has vowed to impose a statewide moratorium on data centers until the state imposes guardrails.
asserted
state → elect → guardrails
Hinojosa has said legislation should require data center operators to hire union workers, protect water resources, and stop using nondisclosure agreements that limit public access to their projects.
asserted
that → say → projects
She has also vowed to ensure consumers do not pay more for energy due to data centers, and end tax subsidies.
asserted
consumers → vow → subsidies
Republican Gov. Greg Abbott earlier this year paused data center development and ordered a statewide audit of projects to collect information on power usage, water consumption, and tax incentives.
asserted
Abbott → pause → usage
The Texas Tribune in September found that the state has at least 596 operating and planned data centers across the state.
asserted
state → find → state
Governor-elect Keisha Lance Bottoms of Georgia yesterday said she plans to sign an executive order to pause data center developments.
asserted
she → say → developments
“A lot of data centers are being built in Georgia because of the incentives that have been attached to those data centers.
asserted
that → build → centers
So, of course we’re going to have to take a look at what those agreements entail and determine what our remedies are to enact that pause,” she told CBS.
asserted
she → go → CBS
“I don’t think we’re going to get a lot of pushback across the state.
asserted
we → think → state
Many local governments have already taken that first step,” Bottoms added.
asserted
Bottoms → take → step
Voters elected Democrat Amy Acton in Ohio.
asserted
Voters → elect → Ohio
She has called for a moratorium on data centers that don’t meet conditions.
asserted
that → call → conditions
She said those conditions include requiring operators to end nondisclosure agreements, provide their own energy, use union labor, protect air and water quality, and utilize brownfield sites for development.
asserted
conditions → say → development
“I’m very pro business.
asserted
I → ’m → ?
We are open for business in Ohio, but we’re not for sale and we’re not for exploitation, and that’s the big difference,” Acton said last week on WBNS 10TV.
asserted
Acton → ’re → WBNS
Data centers played a central role in Ohio’s midterm elections, with the state accounting for the majority of the country’s data center ballot measures.
asserted
state → play → measures
How is Big Tech reacting?
asserted
Tech → react → ?
Meta president Dina Powell McCormick told the Wall Street Journal at an event yesterday that the outcome of the midterms could result in more review for new projects.
uncertain
outcome → tell → projects
“What I mean by that is to start new data center build-outs today in the United States will be very challenging,” she said.
asserted
she → mean → States
McCormick noted that the company will have an easier time expanding its existing data centers.
asserted
company → note → centers
She also noted that the company is looking at other countries.
asserted
company → note → countries
ONE TOWN IN NORTH DAKOTA VOTED ‘YES’ TO DATA CENTERS:
asserted
TOWN → vote → CENTERS
Out of the 41 data center ballot measures across the country, one, in a North Dakota town, stood out for earning the support of voters.
asserted
one → stand → voters
Harwood, North Dakota, residents voted against a measure to conduct additional reviews before approving large industrial developments like data centers.
asserted
residents → vote → centers
Residents voted 75.58% against the measure, with only 24.42% in support.
asserted
Residents → vote → support
Applied Digital Corp. plans to build a large data center in town with Oracle Corp., which is scheduled to reach full capacity by 2027.
asserted
which → plan → 2027
Applied Digital Corp. president Jason Zhang wrote on X that the measure would have created new barriers to industrial development, including data centers.
asserted
measure → write → centers
He noted that the “support comes with responsibility,” adding that they will continue to work and listen to the communities where they build.
asserted
they → note → communities
OPENAI ANNOUNCES DATA CENTER FRAMEWORK:
asserted
OPENAI → announce → FRAMEWORK
OpenAI announced a new framework for data center development today in a bid to address the backlash to construction around the country.
asserted
OpenAI → announce → country
Part of the framework assures residents that the AI company will pay for the electricity it uses, protect local resources and prioritize a closed-loop water system, and advertise job opportunities and work with unions to provide training for employment on the campuses.
asserted
it → assure → campuses
…and 26 more, not listed.
The Aporia
