Broadband Live
Broadband Breakfast on May 13, 2026 – The Politics of Data Centers
Who decides where data centers get built?
Data Center
Facilities designed to house computer systems, servers, and other related equipment, data centers support critical computing functions. Many technology companies are building data centers across various states to support artificial intelligence and other advanced technologies.
Chris Wright
Energy Officials Pressured to Expand Grid as AI Demand Surges
The department is exploring using federal land and agency sites to speed data center buildout.
Chips
Industry Leaders Urge Congress to Boost Chip Policy to Win AI Race Against China
House Democrats slam Trump administration for undermining the Biden-era CHIPS and Science Act.
AI
Silicon Valley Progressive Democrat Calls for ‘New Social Contract’ for AI
Does not support moratorium on data center construction proposed by fellow progressives Bernie Sanders and AOC.
Data Center
Data Center Boom Meets Resistance in Maine: Lawmakers Pass a Yearlong Freeze
Anti-data center bills have been introduced in at least a dozen states.
Data Center
States are Struggling to Meet Their Clean Energy Goals. Data Centers are to Blame
States across the country are struggling to meet their clean energy goals due to the increase in demand.
AI
Opposition Toward OpenAI Brings Two Violent Attacks on CEO’s Home
Two incidents in four days at Sam Altman’s San Francisco residence highlight AI backlash.
Data Center
Hyperscale Data Centers to Reach 67% of Global Capacity by 2031
Cloud giants rapidly expanding infrastructure as AI demand accelerates.
Data Center
Sangamon County, Illinois, Approves $500M Data Center After Heated Debate
Critics warn the project could strain local resources while offering limited long-term benefits
Data Center
Wisconsin Town Votes to Restrict Tax Incentives for OpenAI Data Center
The referendum reflects growing local backlash to large-scale AI infrastructure projects.
Data Center
Political Battle Over Data Centers Turns Violent in Indianapolis
About thirteen shots were fired at Indiana councilman’s home after he voted in support of a data center rezoning measure
Data Center
Democrats See Georgia's Failure to Curb Data Centers as an Electoral Gift
Efforts to pass stricter regulations or limit tax breaks stalled before lawmakers ended their annual session Thursday.
State of the State
States Race to Win the Tech Economy in 2026 State of the State Addresses
Here’s what 30 governors said about broadband expansion, AI growth, and online child safety.
Expert Opinion
Drew Gravitt: Powering the AI Era Isn’t Just an Energy Problem, It’s an Infrastructure One
As AI data center electricity demand is projected to double by 2030, the industry's biggest bottleneck is no longer compute, but energy
AI
Microsoft Takes Over a Texas AI Data Center Expansion After OpenAI Backs Away
Microsoft is taking over a data center construction project in Texas after OpenAI declined to pursue it.
West Virginia
Morrissey Announces Massive Google Data Center Project in West Virginia
Communities have raised concerns over data center construction projects across the state
