U.S. Solar Power Surpasses Coal for the First Time, Driven by AI Demand
INSIDE 硬塞 AIyesterdayBusinessThe article reports that U.S. solar power generation exceeded coal for the first time in May 2026. It frames the milestone as a pragmatic market response to rapidly rising electricity demand associated with AI, rather than a simple environmental victory. Solar’s key advantage is deployment speed: it can add capacity faster than many alternatives, making it attractive when power supply timelines have become critical.
Budgets for API Keys on Vercel AI Gateway
Vercel Changelog5 days agoReleaseVercel has added per-API-key budget controls to its AI Gateway product, enabling developers to set hard spending limits on individual keys. Once a key hits its budget threshold, the gateway automatically blocks further requests, preventing unexpected cost overruns. This is especially useful for multi-tenant apps, team cost allocation, and isolating dev/test environments from production spending.
Shelbyville mayor says only people in ‘shitty houses’ oppose data center
The Verge AI8 days agoEthicsA proposed $2 billion data center in Shelbyville, Indiana, has become a local political flashpoint. The controversy intensified after Mayor Scott Furgeson was caught on camera discussing “No Data Center” signs around town and linking opposition to people living in “shitty houses.” The story highlights how AI infrastructure projects can trigger community backlash, especially when public officials dismiss or insult residents’ concerns.
Giant data center plan cut 50% amid protests
Ars Technica AI9 days agoBusinessArs Technica reports that a giant data center plan was cut by 50 percent amid protests. The developer said it felt “beaten up” and had “no choice” but to shrink the project. The case highlights how AI and cloud infrastructure expansion can be constrained not only by capital and engineering, but also by local opposition and public acceptance.
New York lawmakers pass one-year ban on new data centers★ 72
The Verge AI9 days agoRegulationNew York lawmakers passed a one-year moratorium on new large data centers, pending Governor Kathy Hochul’s decision. Supporters say the pause would give the state time to study impacts on energy prices, electricity, water, land use, and pollution. The bill also requires companies planning data centers with at least 20MW peak demand to fund public hearings, while business groups warn a blanket pause could hurt the state economy.