Data Centers

Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen established a Data Center Task Force to evaluate the impact of data centers on water and energy resources. This initiative presents significant procurement opportunities for firms specializing in energy management and infrastructure consulting as the state prepares for rapid data center expansion.

Governor Josh Shapiro has signed an executive order limiting the construction of hyperscale data centers in Pennsylvania. This move, coupled with proposed legislation for a statewide moratorium, indicates a shift towards stricter local controls to mitigate environmental impact and enhance community protections.

PJM Interconnection proposes a new emergency protocol that allows disconnection of data centers during electricity shortages. This measure aims to prioritize residential power supply, which could impact procurement strategies for data center operations and energy management.

West Virginia has introduced a 20-year Responsible Data Center Development Plan focusing on regulatory frameworks and sustainability. This initiative is expected to create procurement opportunities while ensuring community protection and environmental compliance.

The Marietta City Council greenlights plans for an 18-megawatt data center, signaling significant procurement opportunities in technology infrastructure. This project’s approval underscores increasing municipal efforts to establish tech hubs, which may spur additional investment in local economies and related sectors.

The Gujarat Government has introduced the Viksit Gujarat Data Centre Policy 2026-29, which aims to develop **7.5 GW** of green AI data centers. This initiative promises substantial incentives for domestic and international investors, aligning with global sustainability trends and enhancing the region's digital infrastructure.

Virginia's SCC requires data centers to cover their transmission infrastructure costs, protecting consumers. Governor Spanberger intervenes in a $67 billion merger to prioritize energy affordability and clean power adoption.

RWE has signed a transformative 15-year power purchase agreement (PPA) with Google for the Crooked Creek solar project in Oklahoma. This partnership underscores the increasing demand for renewable energy sources driven by the growth of AI and data centers, presenting new procurement opportunities.

The Uttar Pradesh Cabinet has approved the AI-Ready Data Center Policy 2026, aiming to attract over **₹2 lakh crore** in investments and add **2 GW** of capacity. This initiative enhances the state’s digital infrastructure and promotes sustainable operations, offering significant procurement opportunities for technology companies in the region.

Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey has paused new applications for tax incentives for data centers until safeguards for clean energy and community benefits are established. This action is intended to protect residents from rising utility costs and requires data centers to invest in local infrastructure and jobs.

Virginia's General Assembly has implemented a pioneering energy consumption tax for data centers, targeting new funding avenues while addressing operational costs. This legislation implications could reshape budgeting for contractors and vendors engaging with data center projects in the state.

The City of Moose Jaw is reviewing a revised concept for an AI data center at the former Valley View site. This development highlights a focus on sustainability and community impact, signaling emerging procurement opportunities for technology and construction firms in Saskatchewan.

Arkansas finalizes solar energy agreements to power Facebook and Instagram, signaling growth in renewable energy. This development underlines the increasing demand for sustainable energy solutions in data center operations, creating opportunities for contractors and service providers in the solar industry.

Pennsylvania lawmakers are considering changes to the state's sales tax exemption for data centers amid a projected $2 billion revenue shortfall. This shift could significantly influence procurement strategies for technology vendors and contractors, altering the cost landscape for future projects in the state.

Jacobs has secured an EPCM contract from Hut 8 to develop an AI data center in Nueces County, Texas, slated to become operational in 2027. This contract highlights the increasing demand for advanced data infrastructure specializing in artificial intelligence deployments.

New legislative proposals in Pennsylvania aim to modify data center procurement practices significantly. By imposing a moratorium and repealing tax exemptions, the bills intend to enhance transparency and allow local governments to better regulate data center projects.

The U.S. Navy and Marine Corps are enhancing amphibious capabilities with a significant five-year shipbuilding plan. Notably, investments in hybrid drones and mobile data centers signal a strategic push toward integrating advanced technologies within military operations.

Jacobs has been awarded a sole-source EPCM contract by Hut 8 to build a second AI data center in Nueces County, Texas, scheduled for phased delivery starting in 2027. This contract indicates a robust market demand for AI infrastructure and emphasizes the importance of established industry partnerships for procurement professionals.

Amazon's significant investment in Nvidia GPUs indicates a robust future for AI workloads on AWS. This partnership also highlights potential opportunities for contractors in the GPU technology space as demand for cloud-based AI solutions escalates.

Meta is investing in innovative space solar technology with a 1 GW demonstration planned by 2028. This initiative, along with ultra-long-duration energy storage partnerships, signals significant shifts in energy procurement strategies and infrastructure planning for the future.