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Ohio governor pauses data center tax breaks

  • : Electricity
  • 26/05/29

Ohio governor Mike DeWine (R) temporarily halted new data center tax exemptions after local media reports showed the incentives cost the state over $1bn in revenue last year.

DeWine directed the tax credit authority to stop accepting new requests for exemptions while the legislature's Joint Data Center Committee examines the impact of data centers on local communities. The pause only applies to tax exemption requests and is not a ban on data center development, he said this week.

The move is a reversal of sorts for the Republican governor who has been a supporter of data center investment and last year vetoed a legislative attempt to end the sales and use tax exemption, enacted in 2013.

"What was estimated at $300 million in lost revenue is now $1.6 billion," state representative David Thomas (R) said on social media this week. "The legislature was not told of this cost until seeing it in the newspaper. I am strongly encouraging removing this sales tax exemption fully in Ohio Law."

DeWine emphasized that data centers that have received tax exemptions reported more than $27bn in capital investment in Ohio last year.

The tax credit pause comes as state and local governments in other high-growth markets take a more critical look at the rapid buildout of data centers. In neighboring Pennsylvania, governor Josh Shapiro (D) recently introduced Governor's Responsible Infrastructure Development (GRID) standards that tie tax incentives and fast-track permitting to stricter requirements on energy sourcing, grid costs and environmental performance.

Opposition is also gaining strength in Texas, where counties and cities have moved to block or slow projects through moratoriums, zoning denials and new restrictions tied to water use and land use. The pushback, spanning both Republican- and Democratic-leaning areas, comes as regulators warn that data centers could drive electricity demand to more than quadruple in coming years.

Ohio has the fifth-largest number of data centers in the country, with more than 200 facilities, according to the Office of the Ohio Consumers' Counsel. The rapid expansion has coincided with rising power costs, with Ohio households facing increases from 10-35pc last summer as regional grid operator, PJM Interconnection, paid dramatically more to secure future reserve capacity.

By Jasmina Kelemen

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26/05/28

Local opposition builds to Texas data centers

Local opposition builds to Texas data centers

Houston, 28 May (Argus) — A wave of local efforts to slow or block data center projects is spreading across Texas, as communities push back against the rapid expansion of facilities expected to drive the state's next surge in electricity demand. Counties and cities have in recent months proposed or enacted moratoriums, denied zoning requests and imposed new restrictions, citing concerns over water use, grid strain, noise and the industrialization of rural areas. The local-level backlash has intensified since February, striking in even heavily Republican-leaning districts. Hill County, south of Dallas-Fort Worth, approved a moratorium targeting data centers and related infrastructure, prompting a lawsuit this week from developers seeking to invalidate the measure. Van Zandt County adopted a broader "green energy" moratorium, while similar proposals in Hays and Tom Green counties have been tabled following legal concerns. Hood County commissioners narrowly rejected a comparable measure. "You have counties adopting moratoriums over the objection of their own attorneys, who are saying they don't have the authority to do this," said Tina Nguyen, a litigation partner at Baker Botts, in a webinar Thursday. At the city level, San Marcos denied a rezoning request after hours of debate focused on water availability. Harlingen imposed a temporary ban on new applications, and San Angelo adopted new setback and noise requirements. Round Rock, by contrast, approved a project despite opposition. The opposition comes as Texas has become a leading hub for data center development tied to artificial intelligence, with regulators projecting electricity demand could more than quadruple by 2032. Texas currently has about 87 operating data centers and roughly 156 planned projects, positioning the state to overtake Virginia as the largest US data center market later this decade, according to industry figures presented by Baker Botts. Growing chorus of disapproval The local resistance is spilling into statewide politics and has begun to elicit rare bipartisan agreement in some corners. Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller recently called for a temporary statewide moratorium on new data center development, warning that the rapid growth of such facilities is straining the Lone Star State's resources. The three-term commissioner endorsed by President Donald Trump lost his Republican primary in March and will not stand for re-election. The Democratic challenger in the race has also advocated for a statewide moratorium. Legal experts suggest counties may lack the authority to impose broad development moratoriums, raising the likelihood of further court challenges. Developers are increasingly seeking injunctions to block enforcement, warning that even temporary delays can disrupt financing and timelines. Uncertainty created by the disputes could stymie project development as Texas regulators move to integrate a surge of large electricity users. Under a new process being finalized by the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), projects must certify they have secured all required local approvals or that none are needed to qualify for accelerated interconnection. "The problem is the rule doesn't distinguish between a lawful government action and an illegal one," said Juliana Sersen, a former ERCOT attorney and partner at Baker Botts. That dynamic could leave some projects unable to meet requirements if subject to local moratoriums, even if those restrictions are later overturned, she said. By Jasmina Kelemen Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Energy security fears drive diversification spend: IEA

26/05/28
26/05/28

Energy security fears drive diversification spend: IEA

London, 28 May (Argus) — The war in the Middle East, the subsequent de facto closure of the strait of Hormuz, and resulting concerns over energy security are prompting countries and companies to invest in energy diversification and electricity, energy watchdog the IEA said today. The IEA projects that global energy investment will reach $3.4 trillion in 2026, a slight lift on the year . Of this, around $2.2 trillion is set to go to power grids, storage, "low-emissions fuels", nuclear, renewables, energy efficiency and electrification, while around $1.2 trillion is expected to be invested in fossil fuels. "We are in the midst of the largest energy security crisis the world has ever faced", IEA executive director Fatih Birol said. The war is "expected to reinforce a strong prioritisation of energy security amongst decision-makers", as well as a "renewed focus on resilience and diversification", the IEA said. "Electricity-related investment remains the dominant theme in global energy spending trends", the IEA said. Investment in electricity supply and infrastructure is set to reach nearly $1.6 trillion in 2026, and increase to $2 trillion if end-use electrification is included, the report found. "Electricity is going to make even stronger inroads in the total energy mix as a response to this crisis", Birol said. The watchdog expects renewables spending to reach around $665bn in 2026, with $365bn going just to solar power, $200bn to wind and $75bn to hydropower. The annual growth in renewables spending "has moderated", in part because of declining technology costs, but also policy changes in China and the US. But "low-emissions sources" still make up more than 70pc of global power investment, the IEA said. Investment in fossil fuel supply in 2026 is set to hit just over $1 trillion, returning it "to the 2024 level", the IEA said. Oil investment is expected to drop for a third consecutive year in 2026 to below $500bn. "Uncertainty over the duration of the price spike, long project lead times, supply chain constraints and tighter offshore rig markets are limiting near-term spending responses outside the Middle East" for oil, the IEA said. But investment in natural gas is projected to grow to $330bn, the highest in a decade, driven by new LNG export projects and demand from data centres, the report found. Coal investment is also set to rise, to the highest level since 2012, at $180bn, the IEA said. The bulk of spending, at around 70pc, is in China. Some countries in Asia "may seek to keep existing coal-fired power plants operating for longer to bolster energy security", the IEA said. But it is "too early to say" what the net emission effect of this may be, Birol said today. Investments in renewables, nuclear, energy efficiency and electrification in the past decade "have tangibly improved energy security in major fuel-importing regions and reduced emissions", saving China, the EU, Japan, South Korea, southeast Asia and India around $260bn from avoided fossil fuel imports in 2025, the IEA said. The conflict "has already sparked a search for new energy export routes to reduce excessive reliance on the strait [of Hormuz]", the IEA said. And repair bills for damage to energy infrastructure are "difficult to establish" but are "set to run into tens of billions of dollars", the organisation added. Oil companies are "recalibrating their expectations for upcoming years, on the assumption that oil prices will settle back above the pre-conflict baseline as countries replenish their inventories", the IEA said. "Trust will be an important element in the energy world", in coming months and years, as governments seek reliable energy partners, Birol said. By Georgia Gratton Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Dutch govt formalises renewable gas blending obligation

26/05/21
26/05/21

Dutch govt formalises renewable gas blending obligation

London, 21 May (Argus) — The Dutch government has formally submitted its renewable gas blending obligation bill to parliament, requiring suppliers to reduce a certain amount of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions annually by supplying biomethane to their end users. The bill allows for imports from other EU countries. Under the system, suppliers must submit green gas units — groengaseenheid (GGEs) — to a central registry managed by the Dutch Emissions Authority, with each unit representing 1 kg of CO2 equivalent emissions saved. Suppliers can meet their obligation — which is based on their market share of supply — by converting renewable gas guarantees of origin (RGGOs) and Proofs of Sustainability (PoS) into GGEs. To be eligible for conversion, the renewable gas must be unsubsidised and comply with RED III sustainability and GHG reduction criteria, verified through EU-recognised certification schemes such as ISCC. A key feature of the bill is that renewable gas produced in other EU member states can count towards the obligation, including gas injected into the interconnected European gas grid, provided it meets the same requirements as Dutch renewable gas. In practice, compliance would be demonstrated through the use of RGGOs and an accompanying PoS. Foreign GOOs can be transferred into the Dutch system via the Association of Issuing Bodies hub. The scheme will be aligned with the Union Database once it becomes operational for biomethane. The blending mechanism allows suppliers to pay a buyout price to cover all or part of their annual obligation not met by the provision of renewable gas, providing a ceiling price in the event of supply shortages. The proposed price is €450/t, but a sliding scale could be applied, whereby the price rises the more that a supplier uses the mechanism to cover its obligations. The proposal gives gas suppliers the option to carry over GGEs into the following calendar year, up to a maximum 10pc of the total quota, to "prevent unwanted market distortions". The overarching target of the blending obligation is to achieve a CO2 chain-emission reduction of 2.85mn t in 2031, estimated to correspond to 0.84bn m³ of production. This would be achieved through increasing annual targets, starting with a 0.63mn t CO2 chain emission reduction in 2027, corresponding to roughly 0.16bn m³ of green gas (see table) . To support long-term investments, the obligation will continue until 2035, with specific targets for 2031-2035 to be revised based on green gas production at the time. The bill will now go through the Dutch legislative process in Parliament, including the development of secondary legislation to set more detailed rules. By Giulio Bajona Green gas obligation annual targets CO₂ reduction (mn t) Year Target 2027 0.63 2028 0.92 2029 1.33 2030 1.91 2031 2.85 2032 2.85 2033 2.85 2034 2.85 2035 2.85 — Ministry of climate policy and green growth Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Indonesia's commodity export plan rattles coal market

26/05/21
26/05/21

Indonesia's commodity export plan rattles coal market

Singapore, 21 May (Argus) — Indonesian coal suppliers and buyers are assessing the commercial implications of Jakarta's decision to channel exports of key commodities such as coal and palm oil through state-owned enterprises (SOEs), otherwise known as BUMN, which has created uncertainty around existing supply contracts and raised questions over the role of traders. The 20 May announcement is the latest in a series of policy changes that aim to give Jakarta tighter controls over the country's coal mining industry and bolster prices. These policy shifts follow a protracted downturn in prices that began in 2022, although prices have since recovered. Argus last assessed Indonesian GAR 4,200 kcal/kg coal at $63.77/t fob Kalimantan for coal loading on Supramax vessels, the highest since May 2023. The price increase has largely been driven by supply concerns after producers faced delays in receiving their 2026 work plans and budgets (RKAB), or output quotas. Other recent measures announced by the government that aim to tighten controls include plans to slash coal output this year, revising the validity period for RKABs back to one year from three previously, withholding coal export sales proceeds in onshore bank accounts and tweaking the domestic HBA coal reference price. Jakarta also previously announced plans to introduce a coal export tax, although this has been delayed. Indonesia is the world's largest exporter of thermal coal and shipped about 524mn t — more than half of total global seaborne supply — in 2025, although this was down by 6pc on the year. Last year's decline in exports was the first since 2020 when the Covid-19 pandemic weighed heavily on industry, denting global demand and at the same time affecting supply chain logistics. Phased rollout planned The latest policy will be rolled out in phases from June through August. Exporters will gradually shift contracts, transactions and payment flows to the BUMN, before the entity moves to full end-to-end control of transactions from September. It is unclear if there will be one enterprise or multiple entities, although a market participant said the BUMN could be linked to Danantara Indonesia. The BUMN will initially cover coal, palm oil and ferroalloys — commodities that accounted for around 23pc of Indonesia's total exports in 2025 — with the scope subject to quarterly review and possible expansion, according to research from Singapore's OCBC bank. The entity could essentially work as a marketing agent and export coal procured from domestic producers, traders said. President Prabowo Subianto cited an estimated $908bn in lost revenue over the past 34 years due to under-invoicing, transfer pricing and weak oversight of commodity export proceeds, arguing that tighter governance is needed to capture the full value of strategic commodities. The move comes at a time when the Indonesian currency has been among Asia's worst-performing in recent months, reflecting pressure from capital outflows and global dollar strength. The benchmark Jakarta Composite Index, representing 913 companies spanning sectors including commodities and energy, is down 30pc from the start of the year. Market participants said the absence of detailed transition guidance is already disrupting trade flows. A Singapore-based coal trader said there is no clarity on how existing contracts with shipments due this year will be handled, and all market participants are awaiting more operational details, which typically takes time to emerge in the commodity markets. Utilities in parts of southeast Asia as well as in India are concerned about term supplies and are seeking inputs from Indonesian suppliers on contracted deliveries. Reaction from China, the biggest buyer of Indonesian coal, has so far been cautious, with some market participants arguing that it will be difficult to implement such a policy in practice. An Indonesian coal producer acknowledged that it has received a number of calls from customers, seeking clarity on whether it will be able to fulfil contracts, but added that there are no clear answers as of now. Term supply contracts in focus The Indonesian Coal Mining Association (APBI) warned that a lack of technical clarity on how current sales will migrate to a BUMN-led structure could jeopardise long-term supply agreements, particularly multi-year offtake contracts. The industry is seeking confirmation on whether existing contracts will be honoured or will have to be renegotiated. In the spot market, at least one low-calorific value (CV) coal supplier has raised offers for July-loading Panamax cargoes of GAR 4,200 kcal/kg coal by as much as 10pc. Broader spot offers may be withheld pending policy clarity, traders said. While some market participants expect existing contracts to be honoured at least through this year, uncertainty remains elevated. Participants also raised broader structural concerns about the BUMN model. Coal transactions involve multiple technical and commercial variables — including CV, ash, moisture and sulphur content, vessel scheduling, blending requirements and payment terms — requiring significant operational expertise. The questions in the market range from operational issues involving mine planning to barge loading and transshipment to the risk of disputes, a trader said. There is also uncertainty surrounding long term off-take agreements between trading companies and producers, some of which involve pre-payments and funding arrangements. Traders with existing positions may face pressure to declare force majeure if the policy disrupts their ability to meet contractual obligations, a market participant said. The framework also adds another regulatory layer to an already complex environment that includes domestic market obligation (DMO) rules, export licensing, royalty adjustments, RKAB approvals, downstreaming requirements and directives to park sales proceeds in Indonesian banks for at least one year. An indirect policy impact could be on jobs that may be lost in the industry along with the potential removal of competition in the sector. There are also questions around the survival and existence of some trading and service companies, an official with a large southeast Asian utility said. Authorities will need to ensure private-sector incentives remain intact, OCBC said, warning that concerns about crowding out could deter investments in the coal sector, unless mitigated through policy clarity and ongoing engagement. Non-tax revenues are closely tied to commodity prices and there could be market volatility because of the plan, OCBC added. By Saurabh Chaturvedi and Andrew Jones Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Japan decides not to issue summer power saving request

26/05/21
26/05/21

Japan decides not to issue summer power saving request

Osaka, 21 May (Argus) — The Japanese government has decided not to request electricity conservation this summer, because the country has secured sufficient supply capacity and fuels to meet expected peak demand despite a hotter-than-normal weather forecast. All of Japan's 10 service areas are projected to maintain reserve margins of more than 3pc in July-September, above the minimum 3pc level needed to cope with emergencies such as spikes in demand and unexpected power plant outages, even if the country experiences its hottest summer in the past decade, Meti said on 20 May. The capital Tokyo region, Japan's biggest power consuming area, is now expected to post reserve margins of 3.5pc in the first half of August and 3.7pc in the second half. The ratio rose from the previous estimate of 2.4pc made in March for the entire month, given the capacity addition through the public tender. Tepco Power Grid secured 976MW, including 18MW of demand response, at an average contract price of ¥299/kW ($1.88/kW) through an open call for 1.2GW held in April, with the capacity required to be available over 1 July-18 September. Jera, the country's largest power producer, won the tender with its 1GW Sodegaura No.2 gas-fired unit, which has been mothballed since 1 April. Power demand in Japan is expected to remain firm this summer. Northern areas face a 60pc chance of above-normal temperatures in June-August and other regions a 70pc chance, according to a Japan Meteorological Agency forecast released on 19 May. Along with output capacity, power producers have so far secured sufficient fuel for generation, despite concerns over disruptions to crude and LNG shipments through the strait of Hormuz due to the US-Israel war with Iran. Japan's main power utilities held 2.04mn t of LNG as of 17 May, broadly in line with the average level for the past five years, Meti said. Thermal coal inventories also remained stable as of mid-May, while power producers generally maintain stocks equivalent to about one month's consumption, or around 7mn-9mn t, according to Meti's hearings with companies. Power producers also operate oil-fired plants during peak summer and winter demand periods. They held more than 500,000 kilolitres (3.15mn bl) in inventory as of the end of January, well above monthly consumption levels, while company hearings confirmed that stock levels remained stable as of mid-May, Meti said. By Motoko Hasegawa Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

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