AI Capex Becomes a Data Center Power Cycle — June 19, 2026

AI Capex Becomes a Data Center Power Cycle — June 19, 2026

Microsoft, Alphabet, Meta and Amazon’s AI capex is now a site-selection and power-underwriting problem, while Stargate’s “pay your own way” pledge exposes the enforceable grid question: who funds capacity, upgrades and backup when AI load lands? IN THIS EPISODE 1. AI Infrastructure Capex in 2026: What Hyperscaler Spending Means ... [https://build.inc/insights/ai-infrastructure-capex-2026] — Build Product Use Cases Company # AI Infrastructure Capex in 2026: What Hyperscaler Spending Means for Developers AI infrastructure capex is becoming a real estate development cycle, not just a chip-buying cycle. This post explains how hyperscaler spending changes site selection, power strategy and underwriting for institutional developers. by Build Team • May 8, 2026 • 5 min read # AI… 2. Step Back — When OpenAI says Stargate will “pay its own way” for power, what would that have to mean in enforceable grid terms — take-or-pay contracts, upgrade deposits, curtailment rights, capacity obligations — and where could costs still leak back to ratepayers or the market? BACKGROUND SOURCES * OpenAI Pledges To Foot Bill For Generating New Power For Stargate Data Centers [https://www.bisnow.com/national/news/data-center-power/openai-pledges-to-foot-bill-for-new-power-needed-for-stargate-data-centers-132853] — Dan Rabb, Data Centers * OpenAI Pledges To Foot Bill For Generating New Power For Stargate Data Centers [https://web-prod.bisnow.net/national/news/data-center-power/openai-pledges-to-foot-bill-for-new-power-needed-for-stargate-data-centers-132853] — Dan Rabb, Data Centers * OpenAI Stopped Waiting for the Texas Grid. It's Building Three of Its Own. [https://infrastructureresearch.substack.com/p/openai-stopped-waiting-for-the-texas] — Yair Titelboim * The Megawatt Is Not the Asset - by Alex Lanin [https://lanin.substack.com/p/the-megawatt-is-not-the-asset] — Alex Lanin * An outdated FERC policy is undermining the White House’s ratepayer protection pledge | Utility Dive [https://www.utilitydive.com/news/ferc-transmission-policy-white-house-ratepayer-protection-peskoe/815438/] — Ari Peskoe Daily TopFive for The Data Center Daily. Links above go to the original articles. Follow and rate The Data Center Daily on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-data-center-daily/id1896355970] or Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/2miCD1T5sntF7t77eRk8xv]. Feedback? Email data-center-daily@lanternpodcasts.com [data-center-daily@lanternpodcasts.com].

Hyperscale Capex Runs Into the State-Regulator Wall — June 18, 2026

Synergy Research Group pegs hyperscale capex at $142 billion in Q3, while NARUC’s FERC comments draw a hard state-jurisdiction line around large-load interconnection. The buildout is scaling faster than the permitting and cost-allocation machinery around it. IN THIS EPISODE 1. [PDF] Interconnection of Large Loads to the Interstate Transmission ... [https://pubs.naruc.org/pub/25031BF3-C5E4-85FA-243B-A3D2E5DC82A0] — National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners 1 UNITED STATES OF AMERICA FEDERAL ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION Interconnection of Large Loads to the ) Docket No. RM26-4-000 Interstate Transmission System ) INITIAL COMMENTS OF THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REGULATORY UTILITY COMMISSIONERS The National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (“NARUC”), respectfully submits these comments responding to the Federal Energy Regulatory… 2. Step Back — We usually count data center water risk as “gallons in,” but for AI-scale campuses with hybrid or liquid cooling, what actually comes out the other side — heat, chemicals, blowdown — and how well do today’s permits make that visible? BACKGROUND SOURCES * What’s in the water? What we know and don’t know about data center water discharge in Virginia • Virginia Mercury [https://virginiamercury.com/2026/06/01/whats-in-the-water-what-we-know-and-dont-know-about-data-center-water-discharge-in-virginia/] — Shannon Heckt * Water, air, and backup power: Permitting pinch points for AI facilities | Nixon Peabody LLP [https://www.nixonpeabody.com/insights/alerts/2026/02/18/water-air-and-backup-power-permitting-pinch-points-for-ai-facilities] — Nixon Peabody LLP * Water-Related Permits for Data Centers | US EPA [https://www.epa.gov/watersense/water-related-permits-data-centers] — US EPA * Ohio EPA reviewing draft permit to authorize limited increase in data center wastewater discharge | News, Sports, Jobs - Marietta Times [https://www.mariettatimes.com/news/local-news/2026/03/ohio-epa-reviewing-draft-permit-to-authorize-limited-increase-in-data-center-wastewater-discharge/] — News, Sports, Jobs - Marietta Times * How Water and Wastewater Capacity Now Decide AI Data Center Sites [https://www.datacenterknowledge.com/infrastructure/breaking-points-the-ai-boom-is-colliding-with-water-infrastructure] — Datacenterknowledge * Regulating data center water use in California [https://www.law.berkeley.edu/wp-content/uploads/archive/2026/02/Regulating-Data-Center-Water-Use-in-CA_Report_CLEE-2026.pdf] — Berkeley * State Regulation of Data Centers: Emerging Trends and Potential Legal Complexities [https://www.wilmerhale.com/en/insights/client-alerts/20260223-state-regulation-of-data-centers-emerging-trends-and-potential-legal-complexities] — Wilmerhale 3. Hyperscale Spending Spree is Driving Dramatic Growth in Data Center Capacity | Synergy Research Group [https://www.srgresearch.com/articles/hyperscale-spending-spree-is-driving-dramatic-growth-in-data-center-capacity] — Synergy Research Group ## Hyperscale Spending Spree is Driving Dramatic Growth in Data Center Capacity RENO, NV, December 19, 2025 New Q3 data from Synergy Research Group shows that the number of large data centers operated by hyperscale providers has climbed to 1,297 worldwide, nearly tripling since early 2018. Over the same period, total operational capacity has increased more than fourfold as average data center… Daily TopFive for The Data Center Daily. Links above go to the original articles. Follow and rate The Data Center Daily on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-data-center-daily/id1896355970] or Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/2miCD1T5sntF7t77eRk8xv]. Feedback? Email data-center-daily@lanternpodcasts.com [data-center-daily@lanternpodcasts.com].

Large-load queues meet FERC’s jurisdiction fight — June 17, 2026

PJM interconnection data shows 877 active load, generation and transmission requests totaling 102.79 GW, while a DOE-prompted FERC large-load proceeding raises the core question for data centers: who controls and pays for grid entry at hyperscale? IN THIS EPISODE 1. Latest Active PJM Interconnection Queue Requests with daily data updates — Interconnection.fyi [https://www.interconnection.fyi?market=PJM&status=Active] — Interconnection.fyi [Interconnection.fyi Tracking U.S. ISO & utility interconnection queues](/) [Email Alerts](https://interconnectionfyi.substack.com?ref=interconnection.fyi&utm_source=interconnection.fyi&utm_medium=referral) [Data Centers](/data-center) [GridTracker](/about-gridtracker)[Data center projects](/data-center)[Distribution grid (DG)… 2. DOE Directs FERC to Take Action on Large Load Interconnection | HUB | K&L Gates [https://www.klgates.com/DOE-Directs-FERC-to-Take-Action-on-Large-Load-Interconnection-10-30-2025] — K&L Gates   # DOE Directs FERC to Take Action on Large Load Interconnection      On 23 October 2025, Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Chris… Daily TopFive for The Data Center Daily. Links above go to the original articles. Follow and rate The Data Center Daily on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-data-center-daily/id1896355970] or Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/2miCD1T5sntF7t77eRk8xv]. Feedback? Email data-center-daily@lanternpodcasts.com [data-center-daily@lanternpodcasts.com].

FERC’s Load Fight Meets a Nordic Data Center Auction — June 16, 2026

FERC large-load interconnection reform is the center of gravity: DOE’s push tests who pays for gigawatt-scale AI campuses, while Digital Realty and Equinix’s reported atNorth bids show capital chasing cooler, power-rich Nordic capacity. IN THIS EPISODE 1. Secretary of Energy Directs FERC to Initiate Rulemaking to Expedite Data Center and Large Load Interconnection - Gibson Dunn [https://www.gibsondunn.com/secretary-of-energy-directs-ferc-to-initiate-rulemaking-to-expedite-data-center-and-large-load-interconnection] — Gibson Dunn  Mobile Navigation # Secretary of Energy Directs FERC to Initiate Rulemaking to Expedite Data Center and Large Load Interconnection Client Alert  |  October 29, 2025 *The Secretary’s Direction included a proposed draft Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking for FERC’s consideration, with a deadline for… 2. Step Back — Everyone keeps talking about FERC speeding up large-load interconnection, but isn’t the real accounting fight around hybrid campuses: when a data center shows up with behind-the-meter gas, batteries, or contracted supply, should the grid study the gross load, the net import, or the failure mode when that supply trips? BACKGROUND SOURCES * Unpacking DOE's proposal to transform data center interconnection  | Latitude Media [https://www.latitudemedia.com/news/catalyst-unpacking-does-proposal-to-transform-data-center-interconnection/] — Shayle Kann * Bring Your Own Generation (BYOG): Accelerating the… | PA Consulting [https://www.paconsulting.com/insights/bring-your-own-generation-byog-accelerating-the-path-to-power-supply-solutions] — PA Consulting * Structuring Behind-the-Meter Generation to Manage FERC Jurisdiction - Davis Graham [https://davisgraham.com/news-events/structuring-behind-the-meter-generation-to-manage-ferc-jurisdiction/] — Caroline Schorsch * FirstEnergy asks FERC to require data centers to pay for transmission interconnection costs | Utility Dive [https://www.utilitydive.com/news/firstenergy-ferc-data-center-transmission-interconnection/822333/] — Ethan Howland * The jurisdictional collision over large loads and data center interconnection | Energy Law Report [https://www.energylawreport.com/2026/06/12/the-jurisdictional-collision-over-large-loads-and-data-center-interconnection/] — Sean Aasen * This Week in Hyperscaling: DOE Offers FERC Two Flavors of "Co-Location" [https://elizabethkwhitney.substack.com/p/this-week-in-hyperscaling-doe-offers] — Elizabeth K. Whitney * An outdated FERC policy is undermining the White House’s ratepayer protection pledge | Utility Dive [https://www.utilitydive.com/news/ferc-transmission-policy-white-house-ratepayer-protection-peskoe/815438/] — Ari Peskoe * From Rejection To National Rulemaking: The Federal Regulatory Framework For Data Center Power Is Taking Shape - Renewables - United States [https://www.mondaq.com/unitedstates/renewables/1785802/from-rejection-to-national-rulemaking-the-federal-regulatory-framework-for-data-center-power-is-taking-shape] — RJ Colwell 3. Digital Realty and Equinix battle for atNorth for €4.5 billion - Techzine Global [https://www.techzine.eu/news/infrastructure/136803/digital-realty-and-equinix-battle-for-atnorth-for-e4-5-billion] — Techzine # Digital Realty and Equinix battle for atNorth for €4.5 billion   **Digital Realty and a consortium of Equinix and Canada Pension Plan Investment Board are both… Daily TopFive for The Data Center Daily. Links above go to the original articles. Follow and rate The Data Center Daily on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-data-center-daily/id1896355970] or Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/2miCD1T5sntF7t77eRk8xv]. Feedback? Email data-center-daily@lanternpodcasts.com [data-center-daily@lanternpodcasts.com].

Stargate Wisconsin Meets the Grid-and-Water Reality Check — June 15, 2026

OpenAI, Oracle and Vantage’s Port Washington Stargate plan puts Wisconsin’s grid, water and transmission constraints under the microscope, alongside FERC’s large-load interconnection fight and PJM’s urgent speed-to-power problem. IN THIS EPISODE 1. Data Center Cooling Water Discharge: Assessing Environmental Transparency and Information Gaps [https://repository.uclawsf.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1664&context=hastings_environmental_law_journal] — UC Law Environmental Journal UC Law Environmental Journal UC Law Environmental Journal Volume 32 Number 2 Article 4 5-13-2026 # Data Center Cooling Water Discharge: Assessing Environmental Data Center Cooling Water Discharge: Assessing Environmental # Transparency and Information Gaps Transparency and Information Gaps Katherine Kim Follow this and additional works at: … 2. OpenAI, Oracle and Vantage Data Centers Announce Stargate Data Center Site in Wisconsin - Vantage Data Centers [https://vantage-dc.com/news/openai-oracle-and-vantage-data-centers-announce-stargate-data-center-site-in-wisconsin] — Vantage Data Centers [Skip to content](#content) [](https://vantage-dc.com/) [Home](https://vantage-dc.com/) / OpenAI, Oracle and Vantage Data Centers Announce Stargate Data Center Site in Wisconsin # OpenAI, Oracle and Vantage Data Centers Announce Stargate Data Center Site in Wisconsin #### Vantage’s $15B+ investment… 3. FERC Large-Load Interconnection Preliminary Rulemaking: Key Takeaways for Data Center Developers, Other Large Load Projects, and Investors | Insights | Mayer Brown [https://www.mayerbrown.com/en/insights/publications/2025/11/ferc-large-load-interconnection-preliminary-rulemaking-key-takeaways-for-data-center-developers-other-large-load-projects-and-investors] — Mayer Brown  # FERC Large-Load Interconnection Preliminary Rulemaking: Key Takeaways for Data Center Developers, Other Large Load Projects, and Investors In late October 2025, at the direction of the Secretary of the US Department of… 4. PJM’s Speed to Power Problem and How to Fix It - RMI [https://rmi.org/pjms-speed-to-power-problem-and-how-to-fix-it] — RMI   Learn how we are working to transform how we use and produce energy. # PJM’s Speed to Power Problem and How to Fix It Overlooked interconnection improvements are key to alleviating PJM’s cost and capacity crises. ### ### Why we… 5. Step Back — With OpenAI, Oracle and Vantage now pointing Stargate at Wisconsin, what are the under-the-hood site-selection advantages there — ATC/MISO deliverability, generation mix, tax and permitting posture, water, fiber — and which of those are genuinely scarce versus just press-release gloss? BACKGROUND SOURCES * OpenAI, Oracle and Vantage Data Centers Announce Stargate Data Center Site in Wisconsin - Vantage Data Centers [https://vantage-dc.com/news/openai-oracle-and-vantage-data-centers-announce-stargate-data-center-site-in-wisconsin/] — Vantage Dc * OpenAI, Oracle and Vantage Data Centers Announce Stargate Data Center Site in Wisconsin [https://www.digitalbridge.com/news/2025-10-22-openai-oracle-and-vantage-data-centers-announce-stargate-data-center-site-in-wisconsin] — Digitalbridge * Data center ‘extension cord’ draws landowners’ ire - E&E News by POLITICO [https://www.eenews.net/articles/data-center-extension-cord-draws-landowners-ire/] — Jeffrey Tomich * OpenAI, Oracle, and Vantage plan Stargate Wisconsin data center, expected to be 'close to a gigawatt' - DCD [https://www.datacenterdynamics.com/en/news/openai-oracle-and-vantage-plan-stargate-wisconsin-data-center-expected-to-be-close-to-a-gigawatt/] — Datacenterdynamics * OpenAI Stargate: where the US sites stand [https://epochai.substack.com/p/openai-stargate-where-the-us-sites] — Elliot Stewart * OpenAI, Oracle and Vantage Data Centers Announce Stargate Data Center Site in Wisconsin | Financial Post [https://financialpost.com/pmn/business-wire-news-releases-pmn/openai-oracle-and-vantage-data-centers-announce-stargate-data-center-site-in-wisconsin] — Financial Post Daily TopFive for The Data Center Daily. Links above go to the original articles. Follow and rate The Data Center Daily on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-data-center-daily/id1896355970] or Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/2miCD1T5sntF7t77eRk8xv]. Feedback? Email data-center-daily@lanternpodcasts.com [data-center-daily@lanternpodcasts.com].