Nevada Data Center News

Jun 22, 2026

Microsoft proposes ratepayer-protection tariff in Nevada

Microsoft has proposed a ratepayer-protection tariff in Nevada to establish a statewide framework allocating costs for AI-driven data center growth filed with the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) of Nevada.

Main action: Filed in May with the PUC of Nevada, the proposal would require NV Energy to identify and track substations, generation, and transmission needed for large-load customers on a customer-specific asset schedule; large-load users would pay their project-specific share via upfront or phased payments, with an exit charge if they disconnect before investments are repaid. The plan allows assets originally paid by customers to be transferred into the rate base after commission approval, establishes a new accounting mechanism tracking assets from development through operation, requires service agreements for expected demand/load ramp, and introduces a Bring Your Own Power (BYOP) pathway; developer-funded projects that seek no ratepayer cost recovery may receive a streamlined 60-day approval.
Context and background: The filing is framed under Microsoft’s Community-First AI Infrastructure initiative and aligns with the Trump administration’s ratepayer protection pledge (which Microsoft signed in March). The proposal will undergo evaluation, scenario modeling, and public comment before the PUC rules. Microsoft currently does not operate data centers in Nevada, but acquired land in Reno in April of last year for a potential hyperscale site.

Jun 17, 2026

HPE Discover: Neri outlines an AI architecture built for agents

HPE announced at HPE Discover 2026 in Las Vegas new AI-focused product and platform updates across networking, compute, storage and cloud.

Main announcement: HPE detailed cross-portfolio AI updates including new networking hardware (QFX switches, PTX 12,000 with 800G routing, SRX 4700 quantum-safe firewall at 1.44 Tbps, MX 301 edge router), compute (ProLiant DL 394 Gen 12; Private Cloud AI scaling to 256 GPUs with multi-node inference and a three-tier AI Factory), storage (Alletra MPX 10,000 as the Private Cloud AI storage layer with native MCP and Nvidia Certified Storage validation), and cloud/management (HPE CloudOps consolidation and Unleash AI program covering 60+ validated partners).
Background and specifics: Announcements include agentic governance (zero-code agent registration, three-tier identity model, Nvidia Open Shell, NeMo Cloud workflows, Zerto rollback), performance claims (AI training with one-quarter the GPUs vs prior Blackwell-generation platform; inference at one-tenth the cost per million tokens; 7 to 12x faster time to value vs custom environments), and an energy warning citing a projected 19 gigawatt U.S. power gap by 2028 and data centers accounting for nearly half of U.S. electricity demand through 2031.

Jun 16, 2026

Climate Change Solutions - June 16, 2026

The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) released new fact sheets on lithium and cobalt and announced its 29th annual Congressional Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency EXPO (EXPO 2026).

New EESI publications: EESI published fact sheets on Lithium and Cobalt, noting the U.S. relies on imports for >50% of lithium consumed and 76% of cobalt consumed; the newsletter links to a 2025 Critical Minerals Issue Brief for deeper analysis.
Event and policy updates: EXPO 2026 is scheduled for Wednesday, June 24, 2026, 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (reception 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.) at the Rayburn House Office Building Gold Room (Room 2168) and online; the newsletter also reports House action on the Agriculture Appropriations Act (H.R.8646) providing $22.5 billion to USDA through September 2027, and updates on geothermal permitting bills and the DOMINANCE Act to secure critical mineral supply chains.

Jun 12, 2026

Panasonic to convert Kansas EV battery factory for data centre applications

Panasonic has announced plans to repurpose its Kansas EV battery cell plant to produce batteries for data centre applications beginning Q3 2029.

Main announcement: Panasonic will convert its Kansas (De Soto) EV battery factory to produce batteries for data centre applications, starting Q3 2029; it also intends to repurpose EV battery production lines in Japan and expand module plants in Mexico for data-centre BESS. Panasonic will allocate JP¥350 billion (US$2.18 billion) to its Energy division as part of a broader US$3.12 billion investment in AI infrastructure across fiscal years 2026–2028. The Kansas factory opened on 14 July 2025 and Panasonic noted a planned ~32GWh annual production capacity there (Nevada + Kansas ~73GWh combined).
Background and related details: The move follows slower-than-expected EV adoption and FEOC / OBBBA restrictions; other industry actions cited include Ultium Cells repurposing its Tennessee facility to LFP ESS cells, LG ES converting Michigan EV lines to ~17GWh BESS capacity, and expansions by Samsung SDI and SK On in the US. Separately, A123 and Dukosi are collaborating on a PoC high-capacity BESS combining 587Ah prismatic LFP cells with Dukosi’s cell monitoring and a Nuvation-designed BMS.

Jun 12, 2026

Amazon claims its data centers are 7x more water-efficient than the industry average

Amazon has published new water-efficiency figures for its global data center operations, positioning the company ahead of rivals on WUE and disclosing methods and regional practices.

Main announcement: Amazon says it achieved a 52% improvement in water efficiency over the last 5 years, reporting a WUE of 0.12 L/kWh in 2025 (compared with an industry average of 0.84 L/kWh), claims its data centers are 7x more water-efficient than the industry average, and reports returning 3 US gallons to communities for every 4 gallons used, stating it is 75% of the way to a water-positive 2030 goal. It attributes gains to free air cooling (~90% of the time), evaporative cooling, raised operating temperature thresholds (85° F), and use of reclaimed water across 130 facilities (26 using reclaimed water exclusively).
Context and background: The figures were published amid increased disclosure pressure and two days after Seattle imposed a one-year freeze on new large data centers citing water concerns; the article references competitor WUE figures (Microsoft 0.27 L/kWh in 2025, Google ~1.15 L/kWh, Meta ~0.20 L/kWh) and highlights industry discussion on metrics (WUE, PUE ~1.15 for Amazon), regional disclosure commitments, and emerging dynamics due to AI infrastructure and location-specific water constraints.

Jun 10, 2026

GM Bets on Sodium-Ion Batteries, Expands Grid Storage and V2G Plans

General Motors has announced an expansion into grid-scale energy storage, including a partnership with Peak Energy to develop sodium-ion battery systems, imminent LFP cell production with LG Energy Solution, second-life battery deployments, and scaled V2G programmes with utilities.

Partnership & production: GM is partnering with Peak Energy to develop sodium-ion grid-scale battery systems with development at its battery R&D centre in Warren, Michigan; GM and LG Energy Solution will begin producing Ultium-branded LFP cells within the next month to support lower-cost storage applications.
Deployments & timelines: GM and Redwood Materials have integrated around 10,000 second-life GM battery packs into energy systems (including at Crusoe’s AI data centre in Nevada); GM will install about 100 second-life battery packs at a Michigan manufacturing facility starting next year (providing 7.2 MWh and projected to generate more than USD 3 million in electricity savings over its lifetime). The company is working with PG&E on a programme that could involve 130,000 GM EVs by 2030 and is conducting V2G trials with DTE Energy.

Jun 10, 2026

Behind-the-meter data center gas plants will raise US energy bills

Energy Innovation authors Jeffrey Rissman and Eric Gimon argue that data centers building on-site natural-gas power plants will raise energy prices for U.S. households and businesses and that policymakers should require data centers to supply their own clean on-site electricity.

Main announcement/action: The authors call for a “bring your own clean energy” mandate so data centers do not rely on on-site natural-gas plants; they cite concrete capacity examples including a Richland Parish, LA facility using ~2.2 GW, a Cheyenne-area project with a 1.8 GW first phase designed to scale to 10 GW, and a BloombergNEF finding that ~100 GW of on-site gas capacity is planned for U.S. data centers. The piece urges that data centers instead deploy wind/solar + batteries and enhanced geothermal to provide firm, fuel-free power.
Background and supporting details: The article documents that combined-cycle gas turbines are back-ordered 5–7 years, forcing use of inefficient turbines that increase pollution (citing an xAI Clean Air Act lawsuit), and describes policy tools to implement the proposal including “permit-by-rule”, pre-authorized renewable zones (Texas CREZ, Nevada Solar Energy Zones, Arizona Renewable Energy Incentive Districts), and mentions state laws that streamline permitting (Michigan HB 5120, Illinois HB 4412). It also gives examples of companies already using clean on-site supply (Google: 1.6 GW wind+solar with 300 MW battery; Amazon: 1.2 GW solar + equal battery storage).

Jun 4, 2026

Google Launches 1-GW-Plus Co-Located Data Center and Generation Complex in Texas Panhandle

Google and Intersect have launched construction on the Meitner Energy Center, a co-located data center and generation complex in the Texas Panhandle (Gray and Roberts Counties) that will integrate more than 1 GW of wind, solar and battery storage with on-site gas-fired generation for reliability firming.

Main announcement: Google and Intersect began construction on the Meitner Energy Center in Gray and Roberts Counties, Texas, a co-located data center + generation complex designed to deliver more than 1 GW of wind/solar/battery with on-site gas firming; the Google data center will use air-cooling (no evaporative cooling) and Google is establishing the Caprock Workforce Hub (an 800-acre managed residential facility intended to house up to 3,500 workers) to support construction. The site’s power is intended to be provided majority from clean energy on Day One, with a minority share firmed by on-site gas; Google referenced its $10 million Texas Water Impact Fund in relation to water stewardship.
Background and other details: Alphabet closed its acquisition of Intersect in March 2026 for $4.75 billion in cash plus assumed debt; prior partnerships included a >$800 million funding round led by Google and TPG Rise Climate tied to a targeted $20 billion in renewable infrastructure through the decade. The article also cites Google’s broader $40 billion Texas investment commitment through 2027, prior and new PPAs (e.g., Clearway ~1.17 GW, TotalEnergies 1 GW, Sunraycer ~400 MW, Linea 500 MW), the Quantum project (640 MW solar / 1.3 GWh storage scheduled to start operations June 2026), and Google’s commitments such as training 1,700 electrical apprentices by 2030 and a $30 million Texas Energy Impact Fund (first recipients announced May 2026).

Jun 3, 2026

Data Center Jobs: Engineering, Construction, Commissioning, Sales, Field Service and Facility Tech Jobs Available in Major Data Center Hotspots

Data Center Frontier, in partnership with Pkaza, posts the latest data center career opportunities on its jobs board.

Main announcement: Data Center Frontier and Pkaza have published a roundup of active data center job openings covering roles such as Mechanical Applications Engineer, Electrical Commissioning Engineer, Project Coordinator, Architect Design Manager, Electrical Project Manager, Commissioning Project Manager, Controls PM, Facility Operations Director, Project Executive (Owner’s Rep), and other critical-facilities positions across multiple U.S. locations (examples include Pittsburgh, PA; New Albany, OH; Ashburn, VA; Charlotte, NC; Denver, CO; Naperville, IL). Many roles note remote, traveling, or multiple-city availability and relocation options where specified.
Background / details: This is a recurring/monthly jobs-posting series powered by Pkaza Critical Facilities Recruiting and the Data Center Frontier jobs board; listings emphasise employer needs for MEP/critical facilities design, commissioning, mission-critical power and cooling expertise, energy efficiency and LEED experience, and include travel/remote work options and multiple-site listings for several roles. No monetary values, contract amounts, or deal announcements are included.

Jun 3, 2026

Alsym Energy partners with Re:Build Manufacturing to scale US Na-ion BESS

Alsym Energy has announced an MOU with Re:Build Manufacturing to develop commercial-scale Na-ion battery cell manufacturing in New Kensington, Pennsylvania.

MOU signed 2 June: combine Alsym’s Na-ion BESS technology with Re:Build’s manufacturing capabilities at Re:Build’s existing facility in New Kensington, Pennsylvania; domestic-first approach to maximise tax benefits under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), including the 45X advanced manufacturing production credit, while reducing logistical lead times and shipping costs.
Background and related deals: CEO Mukesh Chatter highlighted end markets including AI data centres, utilities, commercial real estate and emphasized a non-FEOC supply chain compliant with tax credit and defense procurement rules. This follows Alsym’s May 500MWh strategic partnership with Juniper Energy and an April LOI with ESS Tech Inc for 8.5GWh; other US Na-ion activity referenced includes Peak Energy’s 3.1MWh pilot at RWE’s Eastern Wisconsin lab and Hithium’s prior BESS announcements at RE+.

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