Data Centers

As data center development continues across Indiana — drawing economic praise but growing concern over energy and land use — lawmakers advanced little legislation in the 2026 session to regulate the tech sector.

The recommendation follows months of pushback from residents who say the project would bring more industrial development to a neighborhood already burdened by environmental contamination.

Martindale-Brightwood residents are mobilizing against a proposed data center development they fear will worsen environmental pollution and repeat the historic Black neighborhood's long history of industrial exploitation.

Decatur Township residents says a new developer is trying to bypass the city council to bring in a data center.

While opposition to data centers continues to grow, including here in northeast Indiana, Allen County's project is already well into construction.

AI data centers need a massive amount of energy to operate 24/7. Multiple Indiana utilities plan to serve them with new natural gas plants or by keeping coal plants open — leading to more air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.