Data Centers // February 17, 2026
Oklahoma advances bipartisan data center bills as Midwest communities from Missouri to Michigan pack meetings over moratoriums, tax incentives, and zoning. READ MORE.
At A Glance 🔽
- Oklahoma lawmakers push two bills forward, a peak-demand surcharge (passed 9-0) and a broader measure blocking subsidies, as bipartisan regulation gains momentum.
- Communities across Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, and Missouri are packing meetings by the hundreds to weigh in on moratoriums and massive tax incentive packages.
- Townships in Pennsylvania, Maryland, and New York are drafting zoning frameworks and considering bans to get ahead of data center development before proposals arrive.
🔖Oklahoma
Two data center regulation bills advanced in the Oklahoma Legislature, including one that passed committee 9-0 on Monday.
HB 3917, by Rep. Mickey Dollens (D-Oklahoma City), requires large data centers using more than 50 megawatts of power to pay a surcharge during peak demand periods, with revenue funding grid modernization.
A separate measure, HB 3724 by Rep. Jim Shaw (R-Chandler), would prohibit taxpayer-funded subsidies, require facilities to pay 100% of infrastructure upgrades, impose strict water-use limitations, and give counties and municipalities authority to block projects entirely.
Shaw cited a proposed Stillwater data center's projected water usage of 2.7 million gallons per day, about 34% of what the entire city currently consumes. HB 3917 now heads to the full Appropriations and Budget Committee and could reach the House floor within two to three weeks.
🔖Independence, Missouri
Residents packed the Independence City Council meeting Monday night to weigh in on a $156 billion, 400-acre data center proposed by Dutch company Nebius.
On the table is an estimated $6.6 billion tax incentive package for revenue bonds. Nebius would get a break on real and personal property tax, plus no sales tax on construction equipment. Payments in lieu of taxes (PILOT) to the city and local school districts are part of the agreement. Interim Superintendent Dr. Cynthia Grant said the Independence School District is projected to receive "approximately nearly half a billion dollars."
Opponents voiced concerns about noise, pollution, energy and water usage, while supporters pointed to construction job opportunities. An attorney for Nebius, Mark Coulter, acknowledged community concerns and said they've been incorporated into current designs. City council is set to vote on the tax incentives on March 2.
Dane Artisola
Independence, Missouri was covered in last week's February 12 daily note.
🔖Metro Detroit, Michigan
At least five Metro Detroit communities have imposed moratoriums in the last two months as data center proposals crop up across Michigan.
Dane Artisola
Some Michigan localities covered in prior daily notes.
Sterling Heights' City Council passed a moratorium earlier this month, following Pontiac, Taylor, Northville, and Springfield Township. Communities are scrambling to review zoning ordinances and possibly amend them to limit where data centers can be located, though some city attorneys said they're limited in what they can do and officials are walking a fine line to avoid legal battles.
🔖Archbold, Ohio
Archbold Village Council tabled a moratorium discussion on hyperscale data centers Monday night, opting instead to gather more information on power generation, interconnection, water usage, and health impacts.
More than 300 residents attended the meeting. A similar turnout to a week earlier in German Township, which encompasses Archbold. The vote to table was 5-0, with one abstention from Councilman Gary Dominique, who cited a business relationship with Iron Ridge Development. Iron Ridge's vice president sent a letter stating the company "is not pursuing a data center project in Archbold." Residents remained skeptical.
🔖Bethlehem Township, Pennsylvania
Bethlehem Township's Board of Commissioners discussed proposed zoning text amendments Monday that would define and regulate data centers in the township.
The amendments would add "data center" as a conditional use in several zoning districts, including the Light Industrial/Office Campus district. Requirements include a 300-foot minimum setback from any residential use, school, community center, or wildlife sanctuary. Sound studies would be required, and all rooftop equipment producing sound must be fully screened. No formal action was taken as if Monday.
🔖Fulton County, Indiana
More than 100 people packed the Fulton County 4H Fairgrounds Community Building Monday expecting a vote on a proposed one-year moratorium on data centers but the vote was delayed by a procedural oversight.
Under Indiana law, the proposal must first be properly certified and publicly advertised, a step that hadn't been completed before Monday's meeting. The vote is now expected next week, same day and location.
🔖Frederick, Maryland
May is the earliest that Frederick's Planning Commission could vote on a developer's proposal to allow data centers in the city, according to the city's planning director.
The text amendment was proposed by land use attorney Bruce Dean. The Planning Commission can issue recommendations on text amendment proposals, but the City Council has the final say.
🔖Dryden, New York
A resolution under consideration in the town of Dryden would ban the development of data centers, Town Supervisor Jason Leifer told 607 News Now.
Learn more about what's happening around Data Centers in Dryden.
Check out their 📝December 18, 2025 Meeting Minutes.
The resolution is another step in a lengthy process. A public hearing is scheduled for 📆 Thursday, Feb. 19, possibly followed by a vote. Last month, the town board temporarily extended a moratorium on data center development through March.
STRisker Updates Tracker
How do you keep up with the regulatory rollercoaster in your market? STRisker's Updates Tracker can be your guide - start tracking latest events as they happen and get access to essential documents as they come in. We know the struggle, which is why we built this product to capture every twist and turn in the regulatory saga so you never miss a beat.
Stay Updated with STRisker!
STRisker offers tools and features to keep you updated with the Short Term Rental movement (and now Data Centers!) movement across the world.
👍 We’d love your feedback.
Which stories hit? Which ones missed?
We're exploring a new branch of topics centered around Data Centers and want to make it even more useful for you.
✉️ Just reply directly to this email. We read and respond to every message!
-Will McClure
🙋 P.S.
Know someone else who should be reading Daily Notes? Feel free to forward this along. We’re opening a few more spots.