Name: Data Center Policy Trends with Tim Bernard
Start: 2026-04-21T15:00:00-04:00
End: 2026-04-21T16:00:00-04:00

Opposition to Data Centers Grows in Mass. Cities and Towns (Lowell Moratorium)

Lowell, Massachusetts passes a unanimous yearlong moratorium on data center development, the first of its kind in the state. Everett residents campaign for a citywide ban. Neighbors of an existing […]

Community & Social Impacts, Environmental Impacts, Public Health Impacts
Making AI Less ‘Thirsty’: Uncovering and Addressing the Secret Water Footprint of AI Models

This highly cited research paper provides a methodology for estimating the water footprint of AI models, revealing that training GPT-3 alone can consume millions of liters of freshwater. It quantifies […]

AI-Specific Risk Analysis, Environmental Impacts
Energy bills could go up 50% by 2039 as Dominion unveils plan to meet unprecedented demand | WRIC ABC 8News

Dominion Energy projects a 50% increase in residential electric bills by 2039 due to rising electricity demand in Virginia, driven by new data centers. The company plans to boost energy […]

Economic Impacts, Environmental Impacts, Grid & Infrastructure Impacts
Data center overlay districts act (HB 5846, MI)

Authorizes local government to create overlay districts in order to facilitate zoning ordinances for data centers. Permits creation of a commission, conducting studies and consultations. Permits district to impose special […]

Community & Social Impacts, Economic Impacts, Environmental Impacts, Grid & Infrastructure Impacts, Public Health Impacts
Data center planning and responsibility act (HB 5882, MI)

Set procedures for local authorities to implement moratoriums on data centers on crypto mining facilities. Suggests preparatory fact-finding steps. Gives required provisions including: right pf appeal in cases of extraordinary […]

Community & Social Impacts, Environmental Impacts, Grid & Infrastructure Impacts, Public Health Impacts
Mapped: America’s Data Center Construction Boom

Texas and Virginia account for 276 of the nation's data centers under construction as of March 2026 — more than most states combined — while 12 states have none. AI-driven […]

Community & Social Impacts, Environmental Impacts, Grid & Infrastructure Impacts
Largest Data Centers around the world with over 1GW Capacity Under Construction

This industry roundup profiles over a dozen gigawatt-scale data centers under construction globally, including major facilities in Texas, Virginia, Alabama, Louisiana, the UAE, India, and South Korea developed by Meta, […]

Community & Social Impacts, Economic Impacts, Environmental Impacts, Grid & Infrastructure Impacts
NEW POLLING: Research on AI Data Centers, Costs, and Pollution | Climate Power

Polling reveals that 64% of voters are concerned about rising utility costs from AI data centers, with 66% trusting their governor over federal officials to manage local impacts. Support for […]

Environmental Impacts, Grid & Infrastructure Impacts
Data Centers and the Climate Landscape: An Actionable Resource for US Mayors

The Climate Mayors Data Center Resource guide from Climate Mayors is a local government toolkit that focuses on the policy levers cities can use to manage or regulate data center […]

Community & Social Impacts, Economic Impacts, Environmental Impacts
The City of Madison, WI Moratorium on Data Centers

A temporary moratorium is established on zoning certificates for data centers and telecommunications centers over 10,000 square feet in Madison, allowing time to assess their environmental and infrastructure impacts. This […]

Environmental Impacts, Grid & Infrastructure Impacts

Impact Type: Environmental Impacts

Making AI Less ‘Thirsty’: Uncovering and Addressing the Secret Water Footprint of AI Models

Energy bills could go up 50% by 2039 as Dominion unveils plan to meet unprecedented demand | WRIC ABC 8News

NEW POLLING: Research on AI Data Centers, Costs, and Pollution | Climate Power

The City of Madison, WI Moratorium on Data Centers

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Data Center Policy Trends with Tim Bernard

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