Around the Local

Workers, Speaker Criticize Plan to Axe Data Center Tax Exemption

https://virginiamercury.com/2026/02/27/workers-speaker-scott-criticize-plan-to-axe-data-center-tax-exemption-as-budgets-advance/

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

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IBEW Offers to Fix Skyline Icon At No Cost

https://www.kctv5.com/2026/02/27/kansas-city-electrical-union-says-it-offered-restore-western-auto-sign-free-hoa-rejected-offer/

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

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Why We Don't Put More Power Lines Underground

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

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

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$26.5B Secured for Grid Upgrades

https://www.al.com/news/2026/02/alabama-power-secures-part-of-265-billion-loan-for-electrical-grid-upgrades.html

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

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Sen Blumenthal Teams with GOP Senator to Rein in Data Centers

https://ctmirror.org/2026/02/26/blumenthal-data-bill-0224/

Sen. Blumenthal and Republican Sen. Josh Hawley introduced the GRID Act, requiring new large data centers to source their own power and shielding consumers from utility cost increases driven by AI infrastructure demand.

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