Data centers use various chemicals that have recently been the focus of regulatory efforts at the federal and state level. The historic or future use of these chemicals may create liabilities, obligations, or new costs for both existing and planned data centers. PFAS Use in Data Centers Per- and polyfluoroalkyl…
Gravel2Gavel Construction & Real Estate Law Blog
Designing, Constructing and Converting Data Centers and Crypto Mines
The ever-increasing demand for digital infrastructure, coupled with continuing cryptocurrency demand volatility, has generated significant interest in transforming building improvements housing crypto mining farms into modern high-capacity data centers. Crypto mines and data centers share certain foundational elements—facilities with a large footprint and the need for high power capacity and…
Environmental Update: Regulatory Notes – April 2025
April has proven a busy month for environmental issues when it comes to the regulatory arena. Below are just a few of the notable developments: Coal-Fired Relief: On April 8, 2025, the President issued Presidential Proclamation 10914, “Regulatory Relief for Certain Stationary Sources to Promote American Energy,” published in the…
Presidential Memo Directs Immediate Repeal of Regulations Without Public Notice and Comment
Continuing with the Trump administration’s deregulatory agenda, the White House issued a Presidential Memorandum on April 9 titled Directing the Appeal of Unlawful Regulations. It instructs executive agencies to repeal regulations that, in the administration’s view, are “unlawful” in light of 10 recent U.S. Supreme Court decisions. The directive builds…
Real Estate & Construction News Roundup (4/16/25) – Multifamily Construction Opportunities, a Tariff Timeout for Commercial Developers and Data Center-Driven Real Estate Boom
In our latest roundup, REITs ramp up development, U.S. water infrastructure funding plateaus, Giant’s mixed-use development raises questions, and more! Although the Trump administration’s policies are creating uncertainty, many of multifamily’s biggest public companies see an opportunity to start construction. (Leslie Shaver, Construction Dive) Two federal departments formed a task…
U.S. Department of Energy Pursues Data Centers on Federal Lands
On April 7, the Office of Policy for U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) published a Request for Information (RFI) seeking input from industry professionals, grid operators, local communities, Tribal governments, and other stakeholders regarding the development and operation of AI infrastructure—including data centers—on DOE-owned or managed lands. This initiative aligns…
Real Estate & Construction News Roundup (4/2/25) – U.S. Banking’s CRE Exposure, Increased Insurance Challenges and an Embrace of AI by Construction Firms
In our latest roundup, the Tampa Bay Rays pull out of a stadium deal, the National Association of Realtors examines another policy change, energy efficiency measures continue to lower operating expenses, and more! For construction firms, the advancement of AI means even nontechnical users can now create applications. (Sebastian Obando,…
Making the Opportunity Zones Program Great at Last
The opportunity zone tax program was introduced during President Donald Trump’s first term as part of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. Its main goal was to encourage investments in economically distressed areas by offering specific tax benefits. By boosting local development, increasing tax revenue and creating jobs, the…
Real Estate & Construction News Roundup (3/19/25) – Data Center REITs, AI-Based Tools and CHIPS on the Chopping Block
In our latest roundup, Wells Fargo sues JPMorgan Chase, mortgage rates drop, and the life science RE market falters, and more! Three months into 2025, the artificial intelligence arms race continues for builders as large contractors develop their own AI-based tools to aid their construction processes. (Matthew Thibault, Construction Dive)…
Beyond the Executive Orders: Legislative Proposals to Strengthen the U.S. Critical Minerals Supply Chain
Critical minerals are the backbone of modern technologies and national security, powering everything from advanced semiconductors and electric vehicle batteries to missile guidance systems and renewable energy infrastructure. As the global economy transitions to more diverse energy technologies, the demand for these essential materials has surged. Despite their vast importance…