https://datacenterdebate.com/updates/What is new in the US data center debate, both sides, sourced.https://virginiamercury.com/2026/09/16/virginias-federal-lawmakers-lock-in-on-regulating-data-centers/https://virginiamercury.com/2026/09/16/virginias-federal-lawmakers-lock-in-on-regulating-data-centers/2026-09-16Sen. Mark Warner and Rep. Suhas Subramanyam rolled out a slate of federal bills including the Data Center Fair Share Act, which would push states to adopt tariffs so data centers cover their own energy infrastructure or forfeit federal highway funds. The push comes as Fauquier County's Planning Commission is set to review the 900 MW, 2.2 million square foot Remington Innovation Campus on September 17.https://www.limaohio.com/top-stories/2026/09/15/lima-council-passes-18-month-data-center-moratorium/https://www.limaohio.com/top-stories/2026/09/15/lima-council-passes-18-month-data-center-moratorium/2026-09-15Lima City Council approved an 18-month moratorium on new data center construction and on new city water requests from outside municipalities, so that staff can study siting, water and power standards. Mayor Sharetta Smith cited Ohio's rapid data center growth. The moratorium does not affect the existing water agreement for a Google data center under development in American Township.https://hoodline.com/2026/09/san-francisco-weighs-45-day-freeze-on-data-centers-as-bayview-feels-the-heat/https://hoodline.com/2026/09/san-francisco-weighs-45-day-freeze-on-data-centers-as-bayview-feels-the-heat/2026-09-15Supervisor Shamann Walton, joined by Connie Chan, Chyanne Chen and Jackie Fielder, introduced a 45-day urgency ordinance to freeze new data center approvals, with an eye toward a permanent citywide ban. Under state law the interim ordinance needs a four-fifths vote and can be extended to nearly two years if the planning commission finds a public-welfare threat. The proposal follows expansion plans at NOVVA's 400 Paul Avenue project in Bayview.https://www.hayward-ca.gov/discover/news/aug26/hayward-council-consider-move-ban-data-centers-its-sept-15-meetinghttps://www.hayward-ca.gov/discover/news/aug26/hayward-council-consider-move-ban-data-centers-its-sept-15-meeting2026-09-15The Hayward City Council took up a legislative referral from Mayor Mark Salinas and two colleagues directing staff to begin amending the zoning code to prohibit new data centers, following pushback against an approved 76.6-megawatt facility with 28 diesel backup generators. Hayward had already amended its code in April 2026 to require major conditional use permits for such projects.https://www.datacenterdynamics.com/en/news/loudoun-county-considering-moratorium-on-new-data-center-applications-rejects-325-million-sq-ft-campus/https://www.datacenterdynamics.com/en/news/loudoun-county-considering-moratorium-on-new-data-center-applications-rejects-325-million-sq-ft-campus/2026-09-15In a 7-1-1 vote, the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors directed staff to draft a resolution pausing new data center applications for up to 12 months while it develops new rules. Board Chair Phyllis Randall framed the pause as temporary; the county attorney said an indefinite moratorium would likely be illegal. A final vote is expected in October.https://www.newsbreak.com/news/4888545242113-microsoft-ordered-nearly-2-5m-fine-for-air-pollution-from-northern-virginia-data-centerhttps://www.newsbreak.com/news/4888545242113-microsoft-ordered-nearly-2-5m-fine-for-air-pollution-from-northern-virginia-data-center2026-09-15Virginia's Department of Environmental Quality issued a consent order requiring Microsoft to pay roughly $2.5 million over air-quality violations at its Compass Creek Parkway data center in Leesburg during a June 27 to July 1, 2025 substation outage. The agency says the site exceeded permitted limits for nitrogen oxides, particulate matter and volatile organic compounds; Microsoft says it has invested about $31 million in reliability upgrades. The order is subject to public comment through October 14.https://www.texastribune.org/2026/09/14/texas-data-centers-abbott-water-survey-enforcement/https://www.texastribune.org/2026/09/14/texas-data-centers-abbott-water-survey-enforcement/2026-09-14Governor Greg Abbott directed the Texas Water Development Board to use its enforcement authority against data centers and other large users that fail to file the state's mandatory water-use survey. The order refers uncooperative operators for possible criminal prosecution and directs the TCEQ to block related permit renewals, with an enforcement report due to the governor by October 14.https://www.bryantimes.com/news/local/pioneer-puts-moratorium-on-data-centers/article_f14922d9-103d-4cfc-b85c-2eab332e41f8.htmlhttps://www.bryantimes.com/news/local/pioneer-puts-moratorium-on-data-centers/article_f14922d9-103d-4cfc-b85c-2eab332e41f8.html2026-09-14Pioneer village council voted 6-0 to impose a six-month moratorium on data center approvals after a developer approached the planning commission the prior week. The measure blocks the council from acting on any proposed data center during the pause but does not permanently prohibit them and can be shortened by later council action.https://siliconangle.com/2026/09/14/cornelis-networks-raises-205m-and-scales-up-and-scales-out-with-its-new-active-compute-fabric/https://siliconangle.com/2026/09/14/cornelis-networks-raises-205m-and-scales-up-and-scales-out-with-its-new-active-compute-fabric/2026-09-14Cornelis Networks announced a $205 million funding round led by IAG Capital Partners and unveiled Active Compute Fabric, an AI networking architecture aimed at improving GPU utilization inside and between servers. The company also disclosed a partnership with Qualcomm, part of a broader industry push to reduce idle AI accelerator time.https://okenergytoday.com/2026/09/utilities-contend-data-centers-could-lower-ratepayers/https://okenergytoday.com/2026/09/utilities-contend-data-centers-could-lower-ratepayers/2026-09-14PSO went before the Oklahoma Corporation Commission seeking approval for hundreds of millions of dollars in new generation, arguing that data center load will spread fixed costs and reduce residential bills over time. The utility pointed to sister company Indiana Michigan Power, which has asked Indiana regulators for a roughly $100 per year residential reduction tied to large-load growth.