Data centers

Virginia slaps data centers with big new tax — but no climate rules

The state’s Democratic trifecta couldn’t agree on clean energy or air-quality reforms in time for the budget, which passed this week after months of negotiation.

By Elizabeth Ouzts . 23 June 2026

Large warehouses flanked by a dozen generators on a lot, with the rooftop fans on another building in the foreground — Cooling vent fans on the roof and generators outside a Digital Realty data center in Ashburn, Virginia, on November 12, 2025 (Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images)

Data centers

Data centers are key to fight over Duke electric rates in North Carolina

Duke Energy wants to raise household rates by 18%. Clean energy and consumer advocates say there's a much better way to prepare for data centers.

By Elizabeth Ouzts . 17 June 2026
Data centers

AI firms are getting creative as they scramble for energy

Desperate for power, companies are pursuing new strategies to run data centers, from repurposing jet engines to beaming solar energy down from space.

By Kathryn Krawczyk, Dan McCarthy . 12 June 2026
Utilities

NextEra Energy wants to buy its way into Data Center Alley

The utility’s proposed merger with Dominion Energy would connect it with data center-rich Virginia. Consumer and clean energy advocates are wary.

By Kathryn Krawczyk . 22 May 2026
Data centers

Elon Musk’s xAI adds more unpermitted gas generators for data centers

Mississippi residents want relief from the air and noise pollution caused by 46 'temporary' generators — and the 41 permanent ones the state just approved.

By Alex Rozier . 15 May 2026
Fossil fuels

The Indiana community caught between coal and the data center boom

In rural Jasper County, two defining energy trends of the Trump era — reviving coal and building gas-powered data centers — are converging.

By Kari Lydersen . 14 May 2026
Data centers

Georgia Power will now let data centers bring their own clean energy

Large customers served by Georgia Power will soon be able to secure new solar and battery projects. But will that help reduce reliance on new gas plants?

By Jeff St. John . 15 April 2026
Data centers

Data centers are on the ballot in 2026 — and just failed the first test

A Wisconsin city voted to add new hurdles to data center development in response to unwanted construction, and more communities could soon follow suit.

By Kathryn Krawczyk . 10 April 2026
Batteries

Crusoe taps not one but two novel battery technologies for AI buildout

The developer signed a huge deal for Form Energy’s iron-air tech and will build more modular data centers powered by Redwood Materials' second-life EV batteries.

By Julian Spector . 25 March 2026
Data centers

Duke Energy agrees to explore a cleaner way to power data centers

A settlement deal would commit the North Carolina utility to working with Google on a scheme that lets data centers pay to secure 24/7 clean energy.

By Elizabeth Ouzts . 19 March 2026
Data centers

Illinois to data centers: Bring your own renewables and skip the line

Proposed legislation offers perks for data centers that invest in clean energy. A broad coalition supports the bill, but details still need to be hammered out.

By Kari Lydersen . 12 March 2026