What changed in U.S. data centers in September 2026
September 2026: one headline number
The Atlas news log documents 28 source-dated entries in September 2026.
Selected documented entries, not a count of newly announced projects, operating buildings or all developments. Publication, review and scheduled event dates have different meanings.
Calculation: Count distinct entry IDs whose source publication date falls in this month and is no later than the snapshot date, with a retained source URL.
Snapshot as of October 29, 2026. This selected archive can be incomplete. It does not establish the number of facilities announced in this month.
Source-dated entries
QTS backs a decade of forest restoration near its Fayetteville campus
· QTS Data Centers
The Southern Conservation Trust announced a 10 year restoration effort at its Towaliga Preserve, supported by QTS as part of its Fayetteville campus Phase 2 commitment. The organization describes work across 132 acres, with some field work planned to begin in fall 2026.
Microsoft describes hardware recovery network and planned Texas expansion
· Microsoft Azure Blog
Microsoft reports eight facilities recovering retired cloud hardware and says another is planned in San Antonio. These recycling and reuse facilities are distinct from data center campuses; company efficiency figures do not establish any Atlas campus opening or measured local resource savings.
New Mexico seeks community engagement records for Site Layer 1
· New Mexico Environment Department
In its September 29 letter, NMED says outreach documentation remains necessary before advancing Site Layer 1 air permit applications and requests a meeting before submission. The letter also calls for a complete application; it does not record a final permit decision or establish current operating status.
Montana seeks comments on proposed well for Quantica campus
· Montana Department of Environmental Quality
The agency seeks public input on groundwater protection and environmental review for a proposed well serving the Big Sky Campus near Broadview in Yellowstone County. The current notice lists an extended November 6 deadline at 11:59 p.m.; its construction and later water demand figures are projections, and the notice does not establish permit approval or operation.
Fort Worth moves data center report presentation to November 10
· City of Fort Worth
The city canceled its November 3 Council meetings and announced a November 10 work session for the commission report. A first hearing on a proposed development pause is scheduled during the Council meeting that evening; this does not establish adoption of a moratorium.
PowerHouse joins national labor and business infrastructure coalition
· PowerHouse Data Centers
The company says it joined an alliance that plans state and local advocacy ahead of 2027 legislative sessions. Its listed policy themes include water, energy costs, jobs and community benefits.
Microsoft reports initial earthwork at its Silver Springs project
· Microsoft Local
Microsoft reports that early site work includes property preparation, earthmoving and utility relocation. The company identifies Q&D Construction as its contractor and expects several more construction stages.
Amazon describes its Indiana electricity agreements
· Amazon
Amazon says its deals with NIPSCO and I&M require it to pay data center electricity costs, with a minimum demand payment guarantee for I&M. The company also describes grid capacity additions and customer energy programs.
New Era warns Texas permit directive may delay TCDC approvals
· New Era Energy & Digital, SEC Form 8-K
New Era told investors that a September 21 Governor's directive asked TCEQ to halt data center permits pending an ERCOT queue audit. The company said required permits, including air permits, may be delayed and affect its development timeline; the filing does not say TCDC was cancelled or operating.
Georgia proposes air permits for three computing projects
· Georgia Environmental Protection Division
A September 23 Georgia EPD advisory proposed air actions for QTS Fayetteville I, Apex Site Solutions in Hampton and TADG ATL02 in Ellenwood, listing October 23 for comments. The current draft table lists November 30 for QTS application 30027; that change remains unreconciled with a new notice, and no draft establishes final approval.
Whitefish schedules hearing on draft data center zoning changes
· Eastern UP Regional Planning and Development Commission
A Township notice schedules a November 12 hearing at 6 PM at the Community Center in Paradise, Michigan. The proposal would allow data centers through special conditional approval in Light Industrial zoning, with written comments due by the hearing day.
New Era contracts up to 207 MW for TCDC Phase 1
· New Era Energy & Digital, SEC Exhibit 99.1
New Era reported a 20-year agreement for Luminant to supply 200 to 207 MW for TCDC Phase 1, with power expected to be available in the third quarter of 2027. The agreement establishes contracted future supply, not present power delivery or data center operation.
North Carolina announces water review hearing for Compass proposal
· North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality
The agency invited comments on water certification for a proposed five building Compass campus in Iredell County, without establishing a completed hearing or certification decision. Its release gives October 28 for written submissions, while an agency event page gives October 27.
South Carolina issues a second Valara air construction permit
· South Carolina Department of Environmental Services
SCDES announced approval of Valara permit CP50000422 in its September 18 letter to commenters after reviewing the application, hearing testimony and written comments. The air construction authorization does not establish that the computing center or its proposed equipment began operating.
Nevada announces conditions for data center tax relief applications
· Nevada Governor’s Office
The governor announced Executive Order 2026 005, requiring applicants for partial data center tax relief to retain the school tax contribution and sign a community commitment before board consideration. The announcement describes water and utility cost safeguards without establishing that any individual project has satisfied them.
EPA sets partial repeal of power plant carbon standards
· Environmental Protection Agency via Federal Register
A September 17 EPA final rule sets November 16 as the effective day for repealing steam unit emission guidelines and specified carbon capture requirements for large coal unit modifications and new baseload turbines. It retains the 2024 turbine efficiency standards, while broader repeal remains a separate proposal.
Georgia notice covers proposed engines at QTS ATL3
· Georgia Environmental Protection Division
Georgia EPD lists a draft air action for QTS ATL3 Campus in Augusta under application 30169, with comments due October 16. The proposal concerns emergency engines and does not establish a final permit or operating capacity.
Meta outlines a larger campus plan and local spending in Utah
· Meta Data Centers
Meta says the Eagle Mountain expansion would bring its Utah investment above $3 billion and construction employment could peak above 1,200 workers. It also describes school, park and infrastructure commitments.
Google says it is exploring a possible Lea County data center
· Google
Google says discussions are ongoing for a potential project in Lea County and that many details remain unsettled. The company describes an exploration, not a final approval or operating facility.
Brookfield agrees to buy a minority stake in PowerHouse's parent
· PowerHouse Data Centers
AREP and Brookfield announced an agreement for Brookfield affiliates to acquire a minority interest in PowerHouse's parent company. The parties said closing remained subject to customary conditions and was expected in the fourth quarter.
Amazon details construction and resource plans for Wharton County
· Amazon
Amazon says its campus outside Boling currently covers thirteen planned buildings, with site preparation underway. The company says the plans exclude cooling water use and set potable demand near 16,000 gallons per day.
Amazon and Spotsylvania start a reclaimed water project
· Amazon
Amazon says the county owned system will upgrade the Massaponax wastewater plant and add more than twenty miles of pipeline for reclaimed water. The company describes a $480 million project and seasonal service for data center cooling.
QTS announces a billion dollar water stewardship pledge
· QTS Data Centers
QTS says its global commitment could reach $1 billion for water systems, conservation and watershed work, with an aim to restore or protect more water than its facilities use by 2035. These are company plans and targets, not independently verified outcomes.
Georgia reviews air application for Appling computing facility
· Georgia Environmental Protection Division
Georgia EPD identifies application 30311 for a proposed computing facility on Innovation Parkway in Appling. The notice describes requested construction and operation authority, without establishing approval or a completed opening.
Oregon pauses pending state property requests tied to data centers
· Oregon Governor’s Office
The governor directed state agencies to suspend unapproved property transactions and access requests supporting data center projects through July 1, 2027, unless superseded by statewide action. The announcement limits the directive to state controlled requests and does not establish a statewide development moratorium.
DC BLOX sets out a ten pillar community commitment
· DC BLOX
The company says its framework covers power upgrades, water use, sound, air quality, lighting, community engagement, workforce and project updates. These are company commitments, not independently verified site outcomes.
FERC seeks comments on Cook Inlet subsea computing study
· Federal Energy Regulatory Commission via Federal Register
A September 4 FERC notice invites comments by November 2 on a DeepGreen study permit request combining tidal turbines with 66 proposed underwater computing pods in Kenai Peninsula Borough. A preliminary permit would give priority to seek a license and would not authorize construction.
Meta reports its Kuna facility has entered service
· Meta Data Centers
Meta says its Kuna data center is online and operational after construction began in 2022. The company also describes local grants, water system spending and energy arrangements.
Updated . What changed: Dated source entries and the shown calculation for September 2026.