Data Centers: Daily Notes | September 17, 2026

Colorado Springs, Colorado

Colorado Springs is set to decide whether the proposed Raeden data center can move forward after appeals challenged the city’s approval of the project at the former Intel microchip plant on Garden of the Gods Road.

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Raeden CEO Jason Green said the company would move quickly if approved, while Integrity Matters argued that additional studies are needed, particularly on low-frequency vibration and whether existing studies were conducted independently. Green also addressed concerns over an earlier discussion with the city about using up to 300 megawatts of power, saying it occurred before agreements with Colorado Springs Utilities and before an assessment of the building’s requirements. A city council representative said the decision could still be appealed in court, potentially extending the dispute for months.

Eugene, Oregon

Eugene has directed all city employees not to sign NDAs involving data centers, formalizing a transparency policy after residents pressed the City Council for tighter oversight of development.

Eugene bans confidentiality agreements for data centers

Eugene has formally barred city employees from signing nondisclosure agreements related to data centers, following growing public scrutiny over the projects.

Lookout Eugene-SpringfieldGrace Chinowsky

The order comes after the city ruled that a data center is not an accepted use at the former Hynix factory in west Eugene and more than 70 people attended a council meeting urging a moratorium and an NDA ban. The council is now preparing to review data center zoning, with a Dec. 14 work session planned to address ambiguity in the city code, although members are seeking an earlier date. Mayor Kaarin Knudson said hyperscale data centers are not an accepted use anywhere in the city, while councilors are considering whether that position should be made more explicit in the code.

Eau Claire, Wisconsin

Eau Claire’s Sustainability Advisory Committee finalized recommendations for how the city should regulate data centers and sent them to the City Council for consideration.

The committee recommended simplifying zoning classifications by using “hyperscale” and “large scale” as starting points, while adding air quality to standards covering noise, light and water use and clarifying that noise rules apply to backup generators. It also called for supplemental standards requiring data centers to use the lowest amount of water allowable for cooling as technology advances.

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Philadelphia Mayor Sherrell Parker has established a task force to study the impacts of data center development and recommend potential changes to city laws and regulations.

Philadelphia launches data center task force amid concerns over energy and environment

Philadelphia established a data center task force to study impacts on energy, water, health, safety, environment, jobs and city costs.

FOX 29 PhiladelphiaKamryn Scrivens

The group will include city officials, residents, labor leaders, utility experts, universities, advocates and industry representatives and will examine issues including energy and water use, environmental impacts, public health, safety, neighborhoods and economic benefits. The task force must establish its membership and submit a final report with recommendations by June 30, 2027, while the city said the order does not approve any new data center or hyperscale project.

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McDonald, Ohio

McDonald Village Council unanimously approved a one-year emergency moratorium on data centers, blocking the village from accepting, processing or considering applications for the facilities.

The 5-0 vote gives the planning commission, council and administration time to review zoning rules, including those applying to the former McDonald Steel mill property. The action came one day after Oppidan presented plans for eight to 12 data center buildings and two to four administrative buildings at the site, drawing concerns from residents over the scale and potential impacts of the development. The moratorium can last up to 12 months but may be ended earlier by council.

Woodbury, Minnesota

Woodbury officials are considering a one-year pause on new data centers and expansions while city staff and the Planning Commission study how the facilities should be regulated.

The draft ordinance, scheduled for City Council consideration Sept. 23, would prevent the city from accepting or approving data center applications and would also restrict related building permits, rezonings, comprehensive plan amendments, conditional use permits and variances. The proposal would additionally cover certain facilities that rank among Woodbury’s largest annual water or sanitary sewer users, but the draft does not set a specific threshold. If approved, the moratorium would expire after one year or earlier if the council adopts new regulations covering the uses.

Harmony, Minnesota

Harmony is moving toward finalizing a data center ordinance after city officials reviewed resident feedback and presented a sixth draft with new operating requirements.

Harmony moves forward with revised proposed data center ordinance

No formal council action was taken Wednesday as officials gathered further feedback from community members.

KTTCMorgan James

The proposal would require closed-loop cooling systems, cap cooling-related water use at 60,000 gallons per month unless the city grants special approval, and require annual noise studies to demonstrate compliance with Minnesota Pollution Control Agency standards. The draft would also prohibit nondisclosure agreements for data center projects, keeping development details available to the public. No action was taken Wednesday, and the ordinance is scheduled for a public hearing before the Planning and Zoning Committee on Oct. 14 before potentially going to City Council for final consideration.

Columbus, Ohio

Columbus officials are proposing a package of data center regulations covering utility rates, water consumption, energy generation and facility decommissioning.

The city’s proposed rate ordinance would direct Columbus Water & Power to develop charges for large-load and high-volume industrial users, including data centers, with a council vote expected Sept. 28. Additional proposals would require 30% renewable energy for certain behind-the-meter generation, promote water efficiency through usage disclosures and reclaimed water, and require decommissioning plans that address future site reuse and electronics disposal. The measures are aimed at ensuring large data center users account for infrastructure investments and other costs borne by the city and its utility customers.

Massena, New York

Massena Town Board rejected a proposed six-month moratorium on data center development in a 3-2 vote, clearing the way for further work on NCCS’s proposed project near the former Alcoa East plant.

Massena town board votes down data center moratorium

The Massena town board voted against a six-month moratorium on data center development, moving the town closer to construction of a data center.

WWNYChad Charette

The developer says the project is exempt from New York’s statewide data center moratorium because it does not require additional discretionary permits from the state Department of Environmental Conservation. NCCS’s latest plan calls for 400 megawatts of power from the New York Power Authority and a closed-loop cooling system, while residents raised concerns at a public hearing about power and water consumption and the broader impacts of AI development. Several studies must still be completed before construction can begin, with some study costs funded through an escrow account provided by the developer.

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