All posts tagged: Vistra Corp

Maine set to become first state with data center ban

Maine set to become first state with data center ban

Published by Sam Flores

Erik Isakson | Digitalvision | Getty Images Maine is poised to implement the first statewide ban on data center construction, a move that could clear the way for other states to adopt similar measures and pump the brakes on a growing industry. Lawmakers in Maine greenlit the text of a bill this week to block data centers from being built in the state until November 2027. The measure, which is expected to get final passage in the next few days, also creates a council to suggest potential guardrails for data centers to ensure they don’t lead to higher energy prices or other complications for Maine residents. While the bill has garnered bipartisan support, it’s faced fierce opposition from tech groups and businesses worried that even a short delay in construction would set the state back. Glenn Adams, business development director for Sargent Corporation said anywhere that puts a pause on data centers, even a temporary one, will fall behind. The Maine-based building company is constructing data centers in Virginia and North Carolina. “Things are going …

Trump admin unveils national AI policy framework to limit state power

Trump admin unveils national AI policy framework to limit state power

Published by Sam Flores

U.S. President Donald Trump delivers remarks on artificial intelligence at the “Winning the AI Race” Summit in Washington D.C., U.S., July 23, 2025. Kent Nishimura | Reuters The Trump administration on Friday issued a legislative framework for a single national policy on artificial intelligence, aiming to create uniform safety and security guardrails around the nascent technology while preempting states from enacting their own AI rules. The six-pronged outline broadly proposes a slew of regulations on AI products and infrastructure, ranging from implementing new child-safety rules to standardizing the permitting and energy use of AI data centers. It also calls on Congress to address thorny issues surrounding intellectual-property rights and craft rules “preventing AI systems from being used to silence or censor lawful political expression or dissent.” The administration said in an official release that it wants to work with Congress “in the coming months” to convert its framework into a bill that President Donald Trump can sign. The White House wants to codify the framework into law “this year” and believes it can generate bipartisan …

Trump may ‘force’ data centers to pay costs

Trump may ‘force’ data centers to pay costs

Published by Sam Flores

White House trade advisor Peter Navarro speaks to members of the media near the West Wing of the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., August 21, 2025. Nathan Howard | Reuters President Donald Trump’s trade and manufacturing adviser, Peter Navarro, said on Sunday that the White House may force data center builders to absorb their costs as voters continue to sour on the economy and utility prices soar. “All of these data center builders, Meta on down, need to pay for all, all of the costs,” Navarro said on Fox News’ “Sunday Morning Futures.” “They need to pay, not only pay for the electricity that they’re using on the grid, but they have to pay for the resiliency that they’re affecting as well. They need to pay for the water. So there’s activity, action here going forward, where we force them to internalize the cost.” Navarro did not detail what the White House’s plan to force data center builders to internalize costs would look like. CNBC has reached out to the White House for clarification. When …