The Daily · Friday, October 30, 2026
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Data Centers + Energy · United States · Canada · Mexico
Alberta approves Beacon gas plant. San Antonio requires council approval for each data center.
Published 8:00 AM ET / 5:00 AM PT · 36 stories · 32 large-load proceedings tracked · 25 Calendar dates
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Of Note
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- 2Alberta Utilities Commission approves 920 MW gas plant for Beacon Data Centers Heartland hub
FERC, CER & Commissions
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1Policy & Regulation
San Antonio City Council votes 9-2 to require council approval for every new data center
San Antonio council members approved the new data center policy in a 9-2 vote on October 29, 2026. Council members Misty Spears (D9) and Marc Whyte (D10) both voted no.
Why it matters. In San Antonio, developers and construction workers have argued that data centers provide essential digital infrastructure. A survey found that 80% of Texans are concerned about the impact of data centers and 79% want limits on their development.
October 29, 2026 · Texas Public Radio
2FERC, CER & Commissions
Alberta Utilities Commission approves 920 MW gas plant for Beacon Data Centers Heartland hub
The Alberta Utilities Commission approved a 920 MW natural gas power plant intended to supply Beacon Data Centers’ Heartland data center hub in Sturgeon County. The approval covers the power plant, not the associated 800 MW data center.
Why it matters. The Samson Cree Nation was the sole remaining formal opponent of the Alberta Utilities Commission application. Construction on the Sturgeon County power plant is expected to begin sometime in the fourth quarter.
October 27, 2026 · The Logic · Sturgeon County, Alberta, Canada
3Power & Energy
FirstEnergy puts its data center demand at 26 GW by 2036, with 7.9 GW contracted
FirstEnergy put its data center demand at 26 GW by 2036 in the third-quarter presentation it filed on October 27. The Akron, Ohio utility holding company has 7.9 GW of contracted demand from large-load customers.
Why it matters. Monongahela Power and Potomac Edison are seeking West Virginia Public Service Commission approval for a roughly $2.7 billion project with a 1,200-MW gas-fired plant and three solar projects totaling 70 MW. The source names no other side.
October 29, 2026 · Microgrid Media · United States
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