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Workers, Speaker Criticize Plan to Axe Data Center Tax Exemption

Virginia workers and House Speaker Don Scott oppose legislative effort to eliminate data center sales tax exemptions as state budget negotiations advance

https://virginiamercury.com/2026/02/27/workers-speaker-scott-criticize-plan-to-a…

IBEW Offers to Fix Skyline Icon At No Cost

IBEW Local 124 offered $600K+ sponsorship to restore iconic Western Auto sign with LEDs and lifetime maintenance, but HOA rejected proposal citing other bids without sponsorship requirements

https://www.kctv5.com/2026/02/27/kansas-city-electrical-union-says-it-offered-re…

Why We Don't Put More Power Lines Underground

Analysis of why utilities resist burying power lines despite reduced outages from blizzards and hurricanes, examining cost and technical challenges

https://www.wbur.org/news/2026/02/26/underground-power-lines-outages-electricity…

$26.5B Secured for Grid Upgrades

Alabama Power secures portion of $26.5 billion federal loan program designated for electrical grid infrastructure modernization and upgrades

https://www.al.com/news/2026/02/alabama-power-secures-part-of-265-billion-loan-f…

AI Boom Faces Electric Shock

US artificial intelligence expansion confronts major electricity supply constraints as power demand from data centers strains grid capacity

https://www.reuters.com/markets/commodities/us-ai-boom-faces-electric-shock-2026…

Biz Mgr Sapienza : A Needed Win for Both Electrical Workers and Ratepayers

Maine IBEW business manager argues recent policy changes benefit both electrical workers and electricity ratepayers across the state

https://www.pressherald.com/2026/02/24/a-win-for-both-electrical-workers-and-rat…

Politicians Retreat on AI Amidst Signs of Rising Backlash

2028 Democratic contenders who backed data centers with tax breaks are suddenly retreating amid growing voter revolt over electricity costs and community impacts

https://www.axios.com/2026/02/22/democrats-2028-retreat-ai-data-centers

Evaluating the Jobs Impact

IBEW Local 648 says data centers could bring 800-1,200 construction jobs, but researchers warn facilities are capital-intensive while creating few permanent positions despite massive tax breaks

https://www.daytondailynews.com/local/data-centers-get-big-tax-breaks-do-they-cr…

Centers Seek Credit Ratings to Unlock Billions for AI Push

Data center landlords securing top credit ratings for asset-backed securities to unlock billions in financing, with Compass Datacenters achieving first-ever Aaa rating from Moody's

https://www.ft.com/content/e0d9d5f2-c09d-426e-af03-193b488b7b1e

The Early Contours of An Evolving Political Battle

Nearly half of Americans expect data centers to become a campaign issue within five years, with top concerns centered on electricity bill increases and blackout risks, new Politico poll finds

https://www.politico.com/news/2026/02/22/poll-data-centers-politics-00791786?_sp…

Articles from IBEW News

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