Data centers are being built faster than the rules meant to govern them, and often out of public view. Using thermal drone imaging, public records and on-the-ground reporting, Floodlight and partners including WIRED, PBS and The Guardian are documenting the loopholes, secret deals and unpermitted power plants powering the AI boom — and what it means for the communities next door.
Data Centers
Texas regulators are allowing AI data centers across the state to start up thousands of new pollution sources with no public notice or environmental reviews.
Data Centers
Floodlight teams up with PBS to investigate OpenAI’s flagship data center.
Gulf Coast
State senator John “Jay” Morris helped bring Meta’s Hyperion project to Richland Parish. Here’s what he did with his land — before and after Meta’s announcement.
Gulf Coast
Morris’ recent land deals in light of Meta’s Hyperion data center buildout are raising questions about whether the senator violated state laws designed to prohibit self-dealing.
Data Centers
Here’s what Southaven’s residents think about the state greenlighting an xAI power plant expansion in their community
Data Centers
xAI’s Grok chatbot is powered by unpermitted gas turbines at a Mississippi power plant. Here's how we know.
Data Centers
A Q&A with reporter Evan Simon on how this first-of-its-kind investigation came together.
Data Centers
Images confirm xAI is continuing to defy EPA regulations in Mississippi to power its flagship data centers.
Data Centers
Not so long ago, developers of the massive server farms talked about powering them with wind and solar power. But now, with the coming of power-hungry AI platforms, they’re bypassing the grid, building their own gas-fired power plants on site.
Data Centers
A fight in Maryland may be a prelude to what lies ahead as artificial intelligence drives demand for more power — and more power lines
Data Centers
New report highlights how traditional ways of setting rates don’t fit Big Tech’s massive, immediate demand for more electricity
Data Centers
Chinese AI tech DeepSeek is forcing a second look at proposals to build a record number of new fossil fuel power plants
Gulf Coast
Entergy proposes a new $3.2 billion natural gas plant to run a ‘game changing’ data center in northeast Louisiana; critics question the move
Utilities
US energy use has been flat. But new industries are forcing a boost in utility forecasts for demand, potentially harming efforts to cut emissions.