AI Data Centers Run Into the Grid Reality Check — June 02, 2026

What this episode covers

ERCOT is moving to separate real Texas data center load from speculative interconnection requests, as OpenAI, SoftBank and Gulf Coast projects show AI infrastructure scaling into gigawatts—and into ratepayer, water and transmission fights. In this episode: Top stories: 1. As data centers flock to Texas, ERCOT tries to decide which projects are feasible – Houston Public Media — Houston Public Media https://www.houstonpublicmedia.org/articles/news/energy-environment/2026/06/01/553290/data-center-planning-ercot-texas-power-grid/?amp=1 2. Building the infrastructure for the Intelligence Age in Michigan | OpenAI — OpenAI https://openai.com/index/stargate-michigan-data-center/ 3. HPCwire - Since 1987 – Covering the Fastest Computers in the World and the People Who Run Them — HPCwire https://www.hpcwire.com/off-the-wire/softbank-group-to-build-5-gw-of-ai-data-center-capacity-in-france/ 4. What’s in the water? What we know and don’t know about data center water discharge in Virginia • Virginia Mercury — Virginia Mercury https://virginiamercury.com/2026/06/01/whats-in-the-water-what-we-know-and-dont-know-about-data-center-water-discharge-in-virginia/ 5. Louisiana data centres could push power costs on households — IT Brief Canada https://itbrief.ca/story/louisiana-data-centres-could-push-power-costs-on-households Got 60 seconds? Tell us what you think and help shape the show: https://www.lanternpodcasts.com/topfive/feedback?show=data-center-daily Follow and rate The Data Center Daily on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Feedback? Email [email protected]

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