Data Centers
One of East Coast’s largest data centers accused of ‘violating federal law'
Thermal drone footage shows DataOne — the Microsoft-backed AI data center in Vineland — is powering its operations with dozens of unpermitted generators
Data Centers
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
This permit, common for dry cleaners, is now being used to build AI power plants
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
Video: How the AI boom is powered by legal loopholes and secret deals
Floodlight teams up with PBS to investigate OpenAI’s flagship data center.
Gulf Coast
Louisiana senator helped secure Meta's largest data center. Then he sold the land beside it.
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
'I haven't done anything wrong': A Q&A with Louisiana State Sen. Jay Morris
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
Mississippi regulators greenlight xAI’s Southaven power plant despite strong public opposition
Here’s what Southaven’s residents think about the state greenlighting an xAI power plant expansion in their community
Data Centers
Video: We caught Elon Musk's AI company flouting EPA rules using a thermal drone
xAI’s Grok chatbot is powered by unpermitted gas turbines at a Mississippi power plant. Here's how we know.
Data Centers
Inside the reporting: Using a thermal drone to investigate xAI’s power plant
A Q&A with reporter Evan Simon on how this first-of-its-kind investigation came together.
Data Centers
'A different set of rules': Thermal drone footage shows Musk's AI power plant flouting clean air regulations
Images confirm xAI is continuing to defy EPA regulations in Mississippi to power its flagship data centers.
Data Centers
Data centers are building their own gas power plants in Texas
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
Transmission line conflicts ahead as US electricity demand booms
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
Power for data centers could come at ‘staggering’ cost to consumers
New report highlights how traditional ways of setting rates don’t fit Big Tech’s massive, immediate demand for more electricity
Data Centers
Utilities to spend billions to power AI. Are they jumping the gun?
Chinese AI tech DeepSeek is forcing a second look at proposals to build a record number of new fossil fuel power plants
Gulf Coast
Huge gas plant eyed to power mystery $5B Louisiana data center
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
Will bitcoin and data centers risk US climate goals?
US energy use has been flat. But new industries are forcing a boost in utility forecasts for demand, potentially harming efforts to cut emissions.