Key developments
North Carolina advances data-center siting bill
North Carolina lawmakers are advancing Senate Bill 730, a measure that would not ban data centers but would restrict where they can be built, set water-use rules and require noise review within 500 feet of proposed sites. The bill would also bar local incentives and make large facilities cover incremental utility costs for generation, transmission upgrades and grid expansion. Duke Energy has cited data-center growth as a driver of future demand while seeking an 18% rate increase, and the Data Center Coalition says the bill would hurt competitiveness.
Why it matters
It is one of the clearest state efforts to make hyperscale projects pay more of their grid and water costs.
Sources & driving stories
WRAL
WRAL coverageShapiro releases detailed Pennsylvania incentive plan
Gov. Josh Shapiro released the full GRID proposal ahead of Pennsylvania's June 30 budget deadline. The plan would condition the state's major sales-and-use tax exemption and preferential tax-zone benefits on compliance, with clean-energy procurement rising to 32% of usage by 2035. Developers would apply through the Department of Revenue and the Office of Transformation and Opportunity, but any change to the tax exemption still needs legislative approval.
Why it matters
Pennsylvania is trying to attract data-center investment while tying tax breaks to energy and oversight conditions.
Sources & driving stories
SPOTLIGHT PA
Spotlight PA coverageReno extends data-center approval moratorium
Reno City Council voted 6-1 to halt new data-center approvals through Aug. 31, 2027 after hours of public comment over water, power and community impacts. Council members also directed staff to draft code amendments that could tighten rules on water and energy use, building safety, noise, air quality, community-benefit agreements and allowed locations. The city can lift the moratorium earlier if new regulations are adopted.
Why it matters
It gives Reno time to write binding rules before more projects can move forward.
Sources & driving stories
KOLO · Ben Deach
KOLO coverageNEWS 4 & FOX 11 · Ben Margiott
News 4 & Fox 11 coverageWorth noting
WORTH NOTING
ERCOT weighs batch interconnection review
Texas is trying to triage nearly 200 Q1 large-load requests totaling about 438 GW, which could decide which data centers are feasible and when.
WORTH NOTING
Grove City approves one-year pause
Ohio municipalities are increasingly freezing approvals while they study utility impacts and collect resident input.
WORTH NOTING
Hood County tightens rules, faces lawsuits
The Texas county is demanding more disclosure on water, energy and infrastructure, but developers are already challenging the rules in court.
Still unclear
OPEN QUESTION
Will Pennsylvania condition tax breaks on GRID compliance?
The proposal still needs legislative approval, and business groups and environmental advocates are pushing in opposite directions.
OPEN QUESTION
Can local moratoria become durable ordinances?
Reno, Grove City and other towns are pausing approvals now, but they still need enforceable rules before deadlines expire.