Data center policy is evolving fast, often behind the headlines. Our research team and guest writers will use this space to explore patterns, issues, and individual case studies drawn directly from the database. These short op-ed style posts dig into what the data shows, what it doesn't, and why it matters for local communities, policymakers, and industry observers alike.

How a rural county in Virginia went to court over how much water Google’s proposed data center might use, and what that reveals about transparency in data center development.

Policy Researcher
05/12/2026