States Make Data Centers Pay as AI Capacity Keeps Scaling — June 11, 2026

Data center buildout hits grid, water and zoning tests — June 25, 2026

FERC is pressing six grid operators for data-center tariff clarity as Digital Realty expands its AI infrastructure footprint and local fights over water, zoning and heat-island rules show the buildout’s constraints are becoming operational, not theoretical. IN THIS EPISODE 1. Digital Realty Powers the AI Era with Strategic Infrastructure and Acquisitions - Telecom Review Americas [https://www.telecomreviewamericas.com/articles/wholesale-and-capacity/digital-realty-powers-the-ai-era-with-strategic-infrastructure-and-acquisitions/] — Telecom Review Americas Digital Realty Powers the AI Era with Strategic Infrastructure and Acquisitions - Telecom Review Americas Digital Realty announced a series of transactions that, together, bolster the company’s three core pillars of growth: (i) expansion of its hyperscale data center development capacity through the acquisition of a new powered land site in the Kansas City metro, (ii) growth of its colocation… 2. Energy Regulator Staves Off Critique in New Data Center Orders [https://news.bloomberglaw.com/environment-and-energy/energy-regulator-staves-off-critique-in-new-data-center-orders] — Bloomberg Law Energy Regulator Staves Off Critique in New Data Center Orders Environment & Energy LinkedIn The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s instructions to the country’s grid operators to get more organized on data center policies create, for now, a shield against litigation over the reach of its authority, energy analysts say. FERC issued show cause orders last week to six regional operators to… 3. Virginia's drought is so severe even data centers face the same water limits as everyone else [https://www.thecooldown.com/green-tech/data-centers-drought-restrictions-virginia/] — The Cool Down Virginia's drought is so severe even data centers face the same water limits as everyone else Photo Credit: iStock As drought conditions deepen in Virginia, localities are being pushed to make tougher choices about how water is used. Data centers, despite being among the state's heaviest water users, generally are not exempt from those limits. ### What's happening? Questions about special… 4. Clark County, Nev., Commissioners Approve Data Center Project [https://www.govtech.com/artificial-intelligence/clark-county-nev-commissioners-approve-data-center-project] — GovTech # Clark County, Nev., Commissioners Approve Data Center Project Published: 2026-06-23T21:26:51+00:00 Source: govtech.com (govtech.com) Language: en ## Story (TNS) — A wave of discontent with data centers has risen across the United States, and that wave is continuing in Nevada.The latest target? An expansion to the already massive Switch facility in the southwest Las Vegas Valley.Switch's plan… 5. Spalding BOC to hold zoning hearing on 4th data center Thursday | News | griffindailynews.com [https://www.griffindailynews.com/news/spalding-boc-to-hold-zoning-hearing-on-4th-data-center-thursday/article_21c20183-7efe-55d7-9f38-1bfe1dfeb96d.html] — Griffin Daily News Spalding BOC to hold zoning hearing on 4th data center Thursday | News | griffindailynews.com You have permission to edit this article. Edit Share This A conceptual site plan for the 75 South Data Center Campus on 292.41 acres at 1221 Tomochichi Road and an adjacent parcel, north of state Route 16, shows the campus would have seven two-story buildings totaling 2.240 million square feet, and a… 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].

Oracle’s AI bottleneck moves from GPUs to memory and grid rules — June 24, 2026

Oracle warns AI data center schedules now hinge on memory and critical components, not just GPUs, while FERC’s large-load rulemaking keeps the grid-access fight centered on who pays and who decides. IN THIS EPISODE 1. Oracle expanded its AI hardware supply-chain risk beyond GPUs to memory devices and critical components, warning that delivery delays can create operating costs for data center capacity that is not yet revenue-generating and can trigger penalties or other contract remedies. [https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1341439/000119312526277521/orcl-20260531.htm] — U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission Oracle expanded its AI hardware supply-chain risk beyond GPUs to memory devices and critical components, warning that delivery delays can create operating costs for data center capacity that is not yet revenue-generating and can trigger penalties or other contract remedies. For GPU and memory supply-chain readers, the filing links component availability directly to stranded data center capacity… 2. [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… 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. 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].

Digital Realty expands as PJM and ERCOT queues bite — June 23, 2026

Digital Realty moved to deepen its Teraco control and disclosed 1,440 acres near Kansas City, while Carbon Direct maps the PJM and ERCOT queue bottleneck standing between AI data center demand and speed to power. IN THIS EPISODE 1. Digital Realty agreed to issue common stock to buy approximately 16% of the interests in its Teraco joint venture, increasing its interest in Africa’s leading data center platform to 77%. [https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1297996/000119312526276844/d50837d8k.htm] — U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission Digital Realty agreed to issue common stock to buy approximately 16% of the interests in its Teraco joint venture, increasing its interest in Africa’s leading data center platform to 77%. This is a material ownership consolidation in a named data center platform, using Digital Realty common stock as consideration. If completed, Digital Realty says its Teraco interest will rise to 77%, with… 2. Digital Realty disclosed that its operating partnership acquired approximately 1,440 acres of development land at Astra Enterprise Park near Kansas City. [https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1297996/000119312526276844/d50837d8k.htm] — U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission Digital Realty disclosed that its operating partnership acquired approximately 1,440 acres of development land at Astra Enterprise Park near Kansas City. This is a concrete site-control disclosure from Digital Realty in a new Kansas City-area development location, with consideration paid in cash and operating partnership units. Track Astra Enterprise Park as a newly disclosed Digital Realty… 3. AI Meets the Grid: Interconnection Queue Analysis in PJM and ERCOT | Carbon Direct [https://www.carbon-direct.com/research-and-reports/ai-meets-the-grid-interconnection-queue-analysis-in-pjm-and-ercot] — Carbon Direct Why Carbon Direct? [Log in](https://platform.carbondirect.io/) [Get started](../contact) [Get started](../contact) [Get started](../contact) white paper # AI Meets the Grid: Interconnection Queue Analysis in PJM and ERCOT Data centers requiring over 10 GW of power were announced in PJM and ERCOT in just six months. Getting that power online means navigating backlogged and slow… 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’s Site Blitz Runs Into FERC’s Grid Rule Clock — June 22, 2026

OpenAI Stargate’s five-site expansion keeps the AI infrastructure race focused on executable gigawatts, while FERC’s June deadline on DOE’s large-load interconnection plan could define how data centers connect, pay, and navigate federal-state boundaries. IN THIS EPISODE 1. OpenAI, Oracle, and SoftBank expand Stargate with five new AI data center sites [https://openai.com/index/five-new-stargate-sites] — OpenAI # OpenAI, Oracle, and SoftBank expand Stargate with five new AI data center sites | OpenAI [Skip to main content](https://openai.com/index/five-new-stargate-sites#main) [](https://openai.com/) * [Research](https://openai.com/research/index/) * Products * [Business](https://openai.com/business/) * [Developers](https://openai.com/api/) * [Company](https://openai.com/about/) * … 2. Step Back — Stargate just named five more AI data-center sites — so how do we tell which of these are real, executable gigawatts versus land-banked options or narrative management? What documents or market signals should we trust most: interconnection status, utility tariffs, substation work, turbine orders, water permits, financing commitments, or something else? BACKGROUND SOURCES * What the Michigan Stargate site says about today’s AI market | Latitude Media [https://www.latitudemedia.com/news/what-the-michigan-stargate-site-says-about-todays-ai-market/] — Scott Clavenna * The Rise of the Private Grid - by Tara Tan [https://thereview.strangevc.com/p/the-rise-of-the-private-grid] — Tara Tan * Stargate, the AI data center project, is operational in Abilene TX [https://www.dallasnews.com/business/energy/2025/09/23/inside-stargate-ais-massive-texas-data-center-campus-with-5-more-sites-announced/] — Lana Ferguson 3. FERC Sets June Action on DOE’s Large Load Interconnection Plan Putting Federal-State Boundaries at the Center of What Comes Next - Law Offices of Snell & Wilmer [https://www.swlaw.com/publication/ferc-sets-june-action-on-does-large-load-interconnection-plan-putting-federal-state-boundaries-at-the-center-of-what-comes-next] — Law Offices of Snell & Wilmer [Skip to Main Content](#content) * [Media](https://www.swlaw.com/media/) * [All Publications](https://www.swlaw.com/publications/) ## Publication # FERC Sets June Action on DOE’s Large Load Interconnection Plan Putting Federal-State Boundaries at the Center of What Comes Next Apr 21, 2026 By [Ryan J. Regula](https://www.swlaw.com/people/ryan_regula/) The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission… 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].

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].