Data Centres

Oregon Governor Signs HB 4084 Creating Joint Permitting Council And Fast-Track Permitting Programme

Oregon has enacted HB 4084, establishing a Joint Permitting Council to fast-track large-scale industrial and economic development projects. Companies planning significant capital investments in advanced manufacturing or clean tech can leverage coordinated multi-agency approvals and revised tax incentives to accelerate project timelines.

4 Apr 2026, 10:28olis.oregonlegislature.govUnited States

US Congress Introduces Protect American AI Act of 2026 For Data Center Environmental Permits

The U.S. House introduced the Protect American AI Act of 2026 in March 2026 to streamline environmental permitting for data centers and AI infrastructure. If enacted, the bill would significantly reduce project delays by preventing court-ordered permit vacatur and shortening litigation windows, providing greater regulatory certainty for large-scale digital infrastructure investments.

31 Mar 2026, 21:25congress.govUnited States

Hawaii Senate EIG Committee Recommends Resolutions on Lithium-Ion Battery Disposal and Data Centre Impacts

Hawaii Senate committees have advanced resolutions to establish dedicated lithium-ion battery disposal infrastructure and study the environmental and grid impacts of large data centers. While currently non-binding, these measures signal a shift toward stricter end-of-life battery management and potential operational or siting constraints for energy-intensive infrastructure.

28 Mar 2026, 20:28capitol.hawaii.govUnited States

EU Commission Drafts Delegated Regulation Establishing Common Union Rating Scheme for Data Centres

The European Commission has proposed a draft Delegated Regulation establishing a mandatory sustainability rating and labeling scheme for data centers, with the first annual labels expected by August 2027. Operators must prepare for standardized performance disclosures on energy and water efficiency (A-G scales), increasing transparency and competitive pressure on resource-intensive digital infrastructure.

28 Mar 2026, 20:26eur-lex.europa.euEuropean Union

Ohio HB 784 Proposes Data Center Water-Use Reporting and NDA Limits With Political Subdivisions

Ohio HB 784 proposes mandatory water-use reporting for data centers and prohibits confidentiality clauses regarding consumption data in agreements with local authorities. This signals a shift toward greater transparency for resource-intensive operations, requiring firms to prepare for public disclosure of utility metrics and increased regulatory oversight.

27 Mar 2026, 19:43search-prod.lis.state.oh.usUnited States

Minnesota Senate Bill SF 4816 Would Require Environmental Impact Statements For Data Center Construction

Minnesota has introduced legislation (SF 4816) to mandate Environmental Impact Statements (EIS) for all new data center construction projects. This shift toward mandatory environmental review will likely extend project lead times and increase regulatory scrutiny for energy-intensive infrastructure developments.

27 Mar 2026, 07:56revisor.mn.govUnited States

Minnesota Senate Committee Schedules Hearing on Groundwater Permit and Natural Resources Bills

Minnesota's Senate is advancing legislation (SF 3852) that would require large industrial groundwater users to secure independent state permits and provide monthly usage reports. This shift increases regulatory oversight and public transparency for high-volume water consumers, such as data centers, potentially complicating site selection and operational compliance.

26 Mar 2026, 12:20senate.mnUnited States

UK Government Calls for Evidence on Nuclear Third Party Liability for Advanced Nuclear Technologies

The UK government has launched a call for evidence to review third-party liability frameworks for Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) and Advanced Modular Reactors (AMRs) through June 2026. This review signals a move toward risk-proportionate liability limits, potentially reducing insurance burdens and financial barriers for developers of next-generation nuclear and integrated industrial projects.

26 Mar 2026, 11:39gov.ukUnited Kingdom

Spain: Royal Decree-Law 7/2026 Adopts Energy, Tax and Industrial Decarbonisation Measures in Response to the Middle East Crisis

Spain has enacted Royal Decree-Law 7/2026, a €5 billion emergency package extending energy tax cuts and industrial subsidies through 2026 to mitigate Middle East crisis impacts. Businesses should leverage new decarbonisation funding (FIDI) and streamlined renewables permitting while preparing for stricter grid-access rules and mandatory sustainable mobility planning.

26 Mar 2026, 11:36boe.esSpain

Illinois HR0744 Urges Data Centers To Self-Supply Energy And Adjust Emissions Reduction Schedule

An Illinois House resolution filed in March 2026 urges data centers to self-supply their own electricity and calls for potential delays in state greenhouse gas emission reduction targets to maintain grid reliability. While non-binding, this signals a shift toward prioritizing energy security over climate goals, potentially leading to relaxed emissions compliance and new infrastructure requirements for energy-intensive facilities.

25 Mar 2026, 21:37ilga.govUnited States

Minnesota HF3236 Would Modify Water-Use Permit Requirements and DNR Decision Deadlines

Minnesota introduced HF3236 in March 2026 to overhaul water-use permitting by mandating strict agency decision timelines and standardizing aquifer testing for high-volume users. These reforms aim to increase operational predictability for water-intensive industries, such as data centers and agriculture, by penalizing regulatory delays and simplifying permit transfers.

25 Mar 2026, 21:34revisor.mn.govUnited States

Norway Proposes Stricter Surplus Heat And Automatic Control Requirements In Buildings

Norway has proposed Energy Act amendments to mandate surplus heat recovery for industrial sites and data centers, alongside automatic climate control systems in buildings. Operators should anticipate stricter cost-benefit obligations and mandatory infrastructure investments where heat utilization is deemed economically viable.

24 Mar 2026, 12:08regjeringen.noNorway

Pennsylvania House Bill 2150 Proposes Annual Energy and Water Reporting for Large Data Centers

Pennsylvania HB 2150 proposes mandatory annual energy and water consumption reporting for data centers with at least 10 MW peak demand, starting July 2027. This signals increasing state-level scrutiny of data center resource intensity, requiring operators to formalize efficiency tracking and waste heat recovery strategies to mitigate regulatory and financial risk.

23 Mar 2026, 11:27legis.state.pa.usUnited States

Virginia DEQ Proposes Revised APG-576 Best Available Control Technology Guidance for Data Center Diesel Generator Sets

Virginia DEQ is proposing revised APG-576 guidance requiring Tier 4-equivalent emission controls for data center diesel generators, with new standards applying to permit applications from July 1, 2026. Operators must now account for selective catalytic reduction (SCR) and particulate filters in facility designs to meet presumptive BACT benchmarks and streamline the air permitting process.

21 Mar 2026, 19:29townhall.virginia.govUnited States

EU Commission Opens Consultations On Post-2030 Energy Efficiency Legal Framework

The European Commission has launched consultations on the post-2030 energy efficiency framework, a key pillar for achieving the EU's 90% greenhouse gas reduction target by 2040. Impacted sectors, including data centers and energy-intensive industries, should engage now to influence future electrification and performance standards ahead of the late 2026 legislative proposal.

21 Mar 2026, 19:14ec.europa.euEuropean Union

France (Senate) Committee Deletes Provisions of Bill on Data Centre Siting and Taxation

The French Senate Economic Affairs Committee has rejected proposed new taxes and siting restrictions for data centers, opting to maintain the existing energy-efficiency and eco-conditionality framework. This move preserves France's investment attractiveness by avoiding sector-specific levies, shifting the compliance focus entirely to upcoming 2027 performance requirements under the "loi Reen" and EU Energy Efficiency Directive.

21 Mar 2026, 09:11senat.frFrance

Hawaii House Proposes Data Centre Energy And Climate Impact Working Group

Hawaii is proposing a working group to evaluate the impact of large-scale data centers on the state’s energy grid, water resources, and climate targets. This signals a shift toward potential mandates for infrastructure cost-sharing, mandatory resource-use reporting, and strict renewable energy procurement for high-load facilities.

19 Mar 2026, 08:27capitol.hawaii.govUnited States

Ohio Senate Introduces Responsible Water Use by Data Centers Act (SB 378)

Ohio introduced SB 378 to regulate data center water consumption through new permitting requirements and infrastructure cost-recovery mandates. This signals a shift toward stricter resource management for energy-intensive industries, requiring operators to internalize utility costs and adhere to strict volume caps.

18 Mar 2026, 16:20search-prod.lis.state.oh.usUnited States

Nebraska Legislature Amends And Advances LB1010 Utility-Scale Battery Storage Framework

Nebraska advanced LB1010 in March 2026, establishing a comprehensive regulatory and tax framework for utility-scale battery storage, data centers, and large-load electricity consumers. Impacted businesses must prepare for new state-level approvals, mandatory resource reporting, and potential operational curtailment requirements during grid instability.

17 Mar 2026, 20:09nebraskalegislature.govUnited States

IACHR REDESCA Urges Regulatory Safeguards for Resource-Intensive Data Centres in the Americas

The IACHR’s REDESCA has issued a formal warning regarding the environmental and human rights impacts of large-scale digital infrastructure across the Americas, urging states to implement stricter regulatory oversight. Businesses should anticipate heightened scrutiny of water and energy use, potential project delays from proposed moratoria, and expanded corporate due diligence requirements for data center operations.

12 Mar 2026, 20:55oas.orgLATAMUnited StatesCanada