Tennessee Data Center News

May 8, 2026 · RMI

Solving the Gridlock: America’s Electric Supply Chain Opportunity

RMI (authors Ellie Garland and Ben Feshbach) publish policy recommendations for federal policymakers to strengthen the US grid supply chain and deploy newly available authorities and funding.

Main announcement / action: RMI recommends DOE and Congress use newly available tools — including $375 million appropriated to DOE’s Office of Electricity (Jan 2026) and a Defense Production Act (DPA) determination (Apr 2026) — to boost domestic grid manufacturing capacity, coordination, and competitiveness; the brief cites recent private investments such as Hitachi Energy’s $1 billion factory in Virginia and Siemens Energy’s target to add US transformer capacity by 2027.
Background and concrete details: The paper documents current supply constraints: domestic production met only 20% of US LPT demand in 2025, US grid equipment imports exceeded $30 billion in 2024, transformer prices have risen ~75% and cable costs have doubled since 2019; recommended interventions include near-term bottle‑neck relief, tax and loan incentives, DPA/anchor-buying strategies, workforce initiatives, and RD&D pilot programs.

May 6, 2026

Power Drives the AI Data Center Boom, but Connectivity Cannot be Overlooked

An analysis argues that data center operators must prioritize power and optical connectivity for AI.

Main point: The piece highlights power and optical connectivity as essential prerequisites for AI, citing Omdia’s forecast that global IT load power capacity will reach 314 GW by 2030 and noting the emergence of the “scale across“ concept (coined in 2025 by Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang) which requires 800 Gbps+, low-latency optical links to operate multi-site AI clusters and gigawatt-scale training campuses.
Background/details: The article is commentary/analysis (not a formal project announcement). It documents current industry pressures: typical large colocation sites support 50–100 MW, hyperscaler clusters are being planned at gigawatt scale, regional power supply wait times of 2–5 years, and a shift toward remote rural builds (examples: Lancaster PA; Memphis; Columbus, Ohio; rural Georgia; New Mexico; Wyoming) that require long-haul fiber links sometimes up to ~1,000 km. It references trade shows and forums including Metro Connect (Florida), Nvidia’s GTC, OFC, and the Optica Executive Forum.

May 3, 2026

Energy group asks Congress to investigate potentially foreign-backed campaigns against AI data centers

Power the Future has asked Congress to open formal investigations into funding it alleges is incentivizing nonprofits and local groups to oppose data center and AI projects.

Requested action: Power the Future sent a letter to Rep. James Comer (R-Ky.) and Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) asking committees to open formal investigations into what it describes as a “coordinated, billionaire-funded, and potentially foreign-backed political campaign” to block construction of data center and AI infrastructure. The group reports 188 local opposition groups across 24 states and cites grant reporting that New Venture Fund, the Sierra Club Foundation and the Sixteen Thirty Fund collectively received over $13 million from pro-environmental donors.
Background/details: The letter raises concerns that U.S. nonprofit donor disclosure laws can shield donors from public disclosure; it names environmental organizations (Sierra Club, Food and Water Watch, Earthjustice, Goods Jobs First, Piedmont Environmental Council, Southern Environmental Law Center, MediaJustice, Athena Coalition) as recipients of funding they say has been spent opposing data center expansions. Power the Future founder Daniel Turner acknowledges some legitimate local concerns but urges scrutiny of the scale and source of funding. The letter quotes Interior Secretary Doug Burgum calling opposition a “surrender” to China. No formal investigation timeline is provided in the article.

May 1, 2026

Policy Problems Aside, Solar Continues to Shine

Nextpower has announced a multi-year steel-frame supply agreement with Jinko Solar (U.S.) Industries.

This agreement is a multi-year steel-frame supply agreement in which Nextpower will supply more than 1 GW of steel frames, scalable to up to 3 GW over a three-year period, to support module manufacturing at Jinko Solar’s Jacksonville, Florida facility; the U.S. Department of the Treasury guidance notes U.S.-made steel frames can add 6% to a tracker project’s domestic content calculation.
Context and other recent announcements: The article reports multiple recent deals and industry developments — US Modules opened a College Station facility with Production Line 1 (~400 MW annual capacity, scalable to ~1.4 GW); Swift Solar acquired Meyer Burger assets to accelerate GW-scale HJT/perovskite-silicon manufacturing in the U.S.; industry data cited includes the EIA forecast to 424 TWh by 2027, China’s ~1,300 GW capacity and >80% supply-chain share, and AI/hyperscalers signing >30 GW of solar PPAs since 2023. The piece is a reporting/analysis article by POWER (Darrell Proctor).

Apr 30, 2026

Detroit community group launches study of data center development: ‘It’s really important that we do this soon’

Detroit City Council passed a resolution calling for a two-year moratorium on new data centers; Mayor Mary Sheffield must decide whether to sign the moratorium.

Main announcement: The council-backed two-year moratorium on data centers awaits Mayor Sheffield’s decision; the moratorium would pause permits while the city develops health, environmental, and zoning regulations (Council resolution passed in March).
- Meeting details: Planning and Economic Development Standing Committee — Apr 30 & May 7, 2026, 10:00 AM, Coleman A. Young Municipal Center / virtual via https://cityofdetroit.zoom.us/j/85846903626 — agenda: planning and economic development issues, public comment accepted.
Background and next steps: A citywide working group convened by District 3 Councilmember Scott Benson will draft a data center zoning policy by year-end; statewide actions include House Bill 5594 (proposes moratorium through April 2027). Related concurrent developments: DTE Energy filed for a $474-million rate case and tied a two-year pause in rate increases to a Saline data center opening; Ypsilanti approved a 12-month ban on supplying water to data centers, which affects a planned $1.2-billion University of Michigan project.

Apr 29, 2026

Roundup: Entergy boosts spending / Rotolo’s / City Hall probe

Entergy is boosting its four-year capital spending plan to $57 billion (a 33% increase) to fund infrastructure needed to serve Meta’s data center.

Main action: Entergy raised its four-year capital spending plan to $57 billion (up 33%) to build the electrical and other infrastructure required to serve Meta’s data center; Reuters attributes the move to surging U.S. power demand that hit records in 2025.
Other details:Rotolo’s Craft & Crust will open a Lakeland, Tennessee location on May 11 (its third in Tennessee and eighth for franchisees Blaire and Taylor Bobo); a grand jury met on April 29, 2026, issuing subpoenas to Metro Council members Rowdy Gaudet, Daryl Hurst, and Anthony Kenney (source: WBRZ-TV).

Apr 27, 2026

Small modular reactors and microreactors under development in the United States

The U.S. Department of Energy announced renewed support for SMR development, including a $900 million funding tender and selection of vendors for the Energy Reactor Pilot Program.

DOE actions: In March 2025 DOE reissued a tender for $900 million to promote SMR development and in June 2025 announced the Energy Reactor Pilot Program, selecting vendors (Aalo Atomics Inc.; Antares Nuclear, Inc.; Deep Fission Inc.; Last Energy Inc.; Oklo Inc.; Natura Resources LLC; Radiant Industries Inc.; Terrestrial Energy Inc.; Valar Atomics Inc.). Applicants are responsible for funding individual pilot reactor designs while the program aims to fast-track licensing and attract private funding.
Defense and implementation details: The Defense Innovation Unit and military services are advancing microreactor adoption: the Army launched the Janus Program (sites shortlisted at nine bases) and the Air Force plans a commercial microreactor at Eielson Air Force Base with Oklo, Inc. supplying a sodium-cooled Aurora design targeting 1 MW to 5 MW by 2027; the Department of the Navy is soliciting offers for on-site SMRs and microreactors.

Apr 24, 2026

11 new US data centers could produce more pollution than small nations

Recent reports indicate new gas projects planned to power 11 US data centers linked to OpenAI, Meta, Microsoft, and xAI could produce more than 129 million tons of carbon pollution annually.

Main announcement/action: Permit filings and project plans describe 11 new data centers in the United States tied to major tech firms (OpenAI, Meta, Microsoft, xAI) that could collectively emit more than 129 million tons of carbon pollution annually; projects are pursuing behind-the-meter power (self-generated gas turbines) as developers face grid connection delays and rising residential energy costs. The article cites specific developments including xAI’s Colossus 1 campus in Memphis (gas turbine installations approved despite community protests) and a second xAI campus under development in Southaven; it also notes a Microsoft gas project that could exceed Jamaica’s annual harmful carbon pollution and that three Senate Democrats recently sent questions to OpenAI, Meta, and Fermi about data center carbon pollution.
Background and details: The coverage is based on reporting and permit filings (i.e., permit filings are plans, not guarantees); historically permitted facilities often produce lower actual pollution than full-capacity projections but remain substantial — Wired noted that even at 50% of projected output these plants could still emit more greenhouse gases than Norway’s 2024 emissions. The article also highlights community pushback, local protests in Memphis, and the tension between AI benefits (e.g., grid efficiency, medical diagnostics) and environmental impacts.

Apr 23, 2026

How Corporate Energy Buyers Are Reshaping the U.S. Grid: CEBA CEO Rich Powell on Data Centers, Nuclear, and Permitting Reform

The Corporate Energy Buyers Association (CEBA) CEO Rich Powell described how corporate energy buyers are reshaping the U.S. grid and urged federal permitting and transmission planning reform.

Main announcement/action: CEBA says corporate buyers have announced 143.8 GW of clean energy deals in the U.S. since 2014 and contracted a record 27 GW in 2025 (with ~17 GW in Q1 2026 reported by S&P Global), and CEBA members are committing to cost-allocation measures (e.g., the Ratepayer Protection Pledge) to cover the costs to serve new loads while supporting grid upgrades.
Background and additional details: CEBA members procured about 20 GW of solar and 5 GW of nuclear in 2025; the membership is technology-agnostic (“If it’s carbon emissions free, we like it”); Powell pressed for federal permitting reform and transmission planning codified into law so permits cannot be unduly rescinded; listed technologies include restarts, license renewals, uprates, SMRs and advanced reactors (X-energy, Kairos, TerraPower, Oklo), and new deal structures collapsing physical and virtual PPAs into hybrid firm-capacity-plus-attribute arrangements.

Apr 23, 2026

FirstNet Showcases Disaster Response Network

FirstNet showcased expanded deployable emergency communications technologies and AT&T reported delivering over 2,500 deployable solutions last year; the U.S. House voted to extend the FirstNet Authority authorization through September 2037.

Showcase announcement: FirstNet (built and operated by AT&T, overseen by the FirstNet Authority) displayed ~1,000 types of technologies and reported 2,500 deployable solutions delivered last year; AT&T highlighted a fleet of 67 deployable trailers staged across five U.S. warehouses and cited a Hartford, Tennessee deployment where 3 trailers were used to recreate a damaged central office, restoring cell sites within three days and full services by the end of the month.
Policy and technology updates: The U.S. House of Representatives voted to reauthorize the FirstNet Authority through September 2037 (preventing a 2027 sunset); federal regulators (FCC) approved AST SpaceMobile to expand direct-to-cell service using AT&T and Verizon spectrum; the showcase also featured a 45-foot landing craft (diesel-powered, 400-gallon fuel tank, 40-foot pump and hose), drones, LMR systems, 3D imaging, and direct-to-device satellite technology. Officials reported a 10% year-over-year increase in requests.

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