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Key developments
Seattle approves large-data-center moratorium
Seattle City Council unanimously approved a one-year moratorium on large data centers Tuesday, freezing new projects above roughly 20 MW and allowing a six-month extension. The move came after reports that four companies were beginning five projects that could draw 369 MW from the Seattle grid, and after city leaders said they received about 10,000 emails from residents. A related bill passed the same day requires analysis of power, water, land-use, health, and employment impacts.
Why it matters
It is a major-city regulatory reset that could slow or reshape megawatt-scale AI infrastructure growth.
Sources & driving stories
GIZMODO · Mike Pearl
Gizmodo coverageOpenAI considers massive Ohio campus lease
Reuters, via Yahoo, reported that OpenAI is in talks to lease a proposed 10-gigawatt data center campus on Department of Energy land in southern Ohio, developed by SB Energy. The report says the campus could cost at least $500 billion, with OpenAI controlling the equipment under a 20-year lease and payments starting once operations begin; the first phase is expected in 2028. Nvidia is said to be supplying hardware and providing a financial guarantee for the lease and project financing.
Why it matters
If completed, it would be one of the largest AI infrastructure projects ever planned and a major demand signal for power and financing.
Sources & driving stories
YAHOO
Yahoo coverageOhio lawmakers move to cut tax breaks
Ohio Senate Energy Committee amended House Bill 646 on Tuesday, lowering the state’s 100% sales-tax exemption for data centers to a future range of 50% to 75%. Projects could qualify for the higher benefit by locating on brownfields or generating electricity from outside sources, and the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio would have to create a data-center rate class. The proposal would not change existing long-term deals with Amazon, Meta, and Google, and hearings are scheduled as lawmakers push the bill forward quickly.
Why it matters
Ohio is one of the largest U.S. data-center markets, so changing its incentive structure could affect future siting and utility costs.
Sources & driving stories
IDEASTREAM STATE NEWS
Ideastream State News coverageWLWT
WLWT coverageWorth noting
WORTH NOTING
Oregon PUC delays PGE tariff hike
The commission’s pause shows regulators are still calibrating how to allocate data-center-driven costs to utilities and households.
WORTH NOTING
South Strabane adopts data-center zoning rules
The township’s new ordinances add concrete local siting limits, signaling how municipalities are responding to proposed data-center projects.
WORTH NOTING
Meta, Reliance announce India facility
The new 168 MW Jamnagar project shows major hyperscalers are still expanding capacity in India and structuring facilities around renewable power and leased operations.
Still unclear
OPEN QUESTION
Will Seattle extend the moratorium?
The one-year freeze is temporary, and the city still has to decide whether to turn it into lasting zoning or permitting rules.
OPEN QUESTION
Can OpenAI finance the Ohio megacampus?
The project is still only reported talks, and it depends on land, hardware, and financing commitments that may not materialize.