Infrastructure
Shifting politics around data centers scramble Healey AI push
A backlash to data centers is scrambling whether and how the AI industry takes hold in Massachusetts, how it plays politically for Democrats in a deep-blue state and how state officials manage the tradeoffs.
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New Tools Help State and Local Governments Battle Ransomware, Other Big Disasters
When governments find themselves being ransomed, their choices are typically to pay, which will undercut their ability to deliver key services to their communities due to budget restrictions, or not pay, resulting in the immediate inability to serve their communities and the loss of key data that will inevitably plague them for years afterwards.
A new kind of fire detection technology comes to a California county
San Bernardino County is building a network of sensors that detect when high-risk lightning strikes the ground, giving fire officials an early warning to weather events that could escalate into wild fires.
A new era of data center development is like a second industrial revolution
The rapid rise of artificial intelligence has changed the data center industry and thrust construction of giant server farms into the public eye in a way that’s triggering significant community opposition.
Federal government taps Utah to test new electric flight technologies
Utah is among eight states the federal government selected to test the future of electric flight technologies, which may include air taxis.
Questions about self-driving cars amplify after one blocked an ambulance responding to Austin shooting
While the encounter didn’t significantly hinder response to the shooting, it has raised concerns about the vehicles as they expand to more Texas cities and before new state regulations kick in.
Lots of questions, but little pushback on Maryland bill to allow driverless cars
Autonomous vehicles would provide freedom of movement to those who are unable to drive and a safer alternative to human drivers, Sen. Sara Love testified during a hearing on her bill.
Oklahoma lawmakers move to protect ratepayers from effects of data centers
There are at least 30 data centers in Oklahoma that are currently operating, planned or under construction.
Labor advocates try to put the brakes on unregulated, self-driving Waymo cars
Minnesota doesn’t have laws regulating autonomous vehicles, and some lawmakers argue that the state needs to get them in place now to ensure the introduction of self-driving cars doesn’t cause chaos.
It’s lights out for Washington legislature’s effort to regulate data centers
The bill died Monday amid a barrage of industry opposition. Supporters said it was a crucial step toward protecting the grid and utility ratepayers from the energy-hungry facilities.
Data center tax breaks are on the chopping block in some states
Rising energy costs and environmental concerns drive states to reconsider incentives.
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Data center growth goes full steam ahead across the US
Investments in and construction of data centers are increasing across the U.S., particularly in areas where such facilities have previously lagged.
Autonomous cars in Iowa would need human drivers under proposed bills
Iowa lawmakers advanced two bills from House subcommittees that would restrict the commercial operation of driverless cars.
California city taps AI to improve public bus service and increase ridership
An artificial intelligence-enabled traffic system is helping San Jose better serve residents using public transportation.
After North Carolina cyberattacks, IT officials warn General Assembly of poor preparedness
The state’s systems face more than 10 billion attack attempts each month, a top cybersecurity official told lawmakers.
In the West Texas oil patch, companies plan gas power plants to run new data centers
The developer of one project, in Pecos County, calls it the largest power project in the U.S. Data centers are sparking a surge of gas power plant construction in Texas.
Rural Wisconsin has become a hotspot for data centers. State’s unique tax instrument explains why
Concerns over transparency, tax policy, and data centers’ utility usage drive many rural residents to oppose planned developments.
Bill to provide tax breaks for data centers reintroduced by Colorado lawmakers
The bill would offer a 100% sales and use tax exemption for qualified data centers for at least 20 years.
Election officials say trust with CISA is broken — and may not come back
States once embraced federal election security help. Now many say politicization and pullbacks have shattered that partnership.
Wyoming County approves construction of what could become the largest data center in US
The project could eventually use the same amount of electricity as produced by 10 nuclear power plants, boosting Wyoming’s energy industry while challenging efforts to limit emissions and stressing water supplies.
Data will be key to lead pipe removal efforts, nonprofit says
States have about a year to confirm their plans to remove lead service lines with the federal government. Preparing data now could help officials draw such plans more efficiently.
