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Rural Data Centers Are in for a Big Federal Tax Break

Rural Data Centers Are in for a Big Federal Tax Break

Title: Rural Data Centers Are in for a Big Federal Tax Break

URL Source: https://www.wired.com/story/rural-data-centers-are-in-for-a-big-federal-tax-break/

Published Time: 2026-10-04T06:00:00.000-04:00

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Oct 4, 2026 6:00 AM

Rural Data Centers Are in for a Big Federal Tax Break

Under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, data center projects in rural areas could be eligible for major tax benefits starting next year. Some hyperscalers do not seem eager to take the free cash.

![Image 3: Image may contain Donald Trump Adult Person Face Head Money Clothing Formal Wear and Suit](https://media.wired.com/photos/6abfbb7863cea41649272752/master/w_2560%2Cc_limit/100226-Power%2520Play.jpg)

Photo-Illustration: Wired Staff; Getty Images

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[Molly Taft](https://www.wired.com/author/molly-taft/) is a senior writer for WIRED, covering climate change, energy, and the environment. Previously, they were a reporter and editor at Drilled, an investigative climate multimedia reporting project. Before that, they wrote about climate change and technology for Gizmodo, and served as a contributing editor for the New … [Read More](https://www.wired.com/author/molly-taft)

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Even with mounting concerns about AI models going rogue, legislation appears unlikely, and the White House is outright opposed to oversight.

Hugo Lowell

[![Image 19: Lawmakers Want States to Crack Down on Flock Cameras—or Pay the Price](https://media.wired.com/photos/6aa837d0a9892d5eba997e3d/16:9/w_640%2Cc_limit/undefined)](https://www.wired.com/story/lawmakers-want-states-to-crack-down-on-flock-cameras-or-pay-the-price/#intcid=_wired-article-bottom-recirc-bkt-a_948a7a6f-6df8-425f-8508-88cd4bade8bc_closr_fallback_text2vec1)

[Lawmakers Want States to Crack Down on Flock Cameras—or Pay the Price](https://www.wired.com/story/lawmakers-want-states-to-crack-down-on-flock-cameras-or-pay-the-price/#intcid=_wired-article-bottom-recirc-bkt-a_948a7a6f-6df8-425f-8508-88cd4bade8bc_closr_fallback_text2vec1)

A new bipartisan effort in Congress to rein in automated license plate readers takes a page from the national drinking age: Comply, or risk losing federal highway funding.

Paresh Dave

[![Image 20: UNDERSTAND ROBOTS, HACKING, AI AGENTS, WHAT'S NEXT <br> Get clarity. Because what happens next changes everything. <br><del>$4</del> <strong>$2/month for 1 year</strong> <br> CTA:GET DIGITAL ACCESS](https://media.wired.com/photos/6aaa989bb9f3b2223fc0f627/original/pass/Wired_App_Desktop_Acquistion_01d.gif?format=original)](https://www.wired.com/v2/offers/wira01045?source=Site_0_JNY_WIR_DESKTOP_FOOTER_0_US_ACQ_SEGMENT_SOPHI_CONTROL_JULY_2026_ZZ)

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