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PRIVATE BETA · 6:30 A.M. EASTERN
FIO Morning Brief
September 28, 2026
The day’s news on the system America’s next economy runs on.
Where They Meet ✦
U.S. Senate May Vote on Data Center Power Rate Bill
Government Technology · Sep 25
Government Technology reports that Senate leaders were considering a vote on legislation requiring state regulators to consider standards for large data centers to pay for needed grid upgrades.
Data Centers & AI + Energy, Grid & Security
Why it matters · Editor’s draft for Dennis to review: The story connects AI infrastructure growth with who pays for electricity-system expansion. Its proposed standards and state-regulator role make it a useful starting point for FIO's coverage of costs, siting and local control.
New Jersey Community Colleges Offer Hands-On Data Science, AI Training
Government Technology · Sep 23
Government Technology reports on a registered data-science and AI apprenticeship involving New Jersey community colleges, the Princeton AI Hub and the state community-college council.
Education & Workforce + Data Centers & AI
Why it matters · Editor’s draft for Dennis to review: AI infrastructure and applications require people who can work with data as well as physical systems. This apprenticeship offers a concrete example of education partners connecting classroom instruction with employers' needs.
Data Centers & AI
Digital Realty to develop cable landing station in Los Angeles, California
Data Center Dynamics · Sep 28
Digital Realty plans a cable landing station at its LAX12 data center in Los Angeles, with the project expected to begin supporting cables in 2028.
Akamai signs $11.6bn compute deal with Anthropic
Data Center Dynamics · Sep 28
Data Center Dynamics reports that Anthropic will lease distributed compute capacity from Akamai under a seven-year agreement valued at $11.6 billion.
Nuclear Power
Chairman Capito Opening Statement at Hearing to Examine Nuclear Waste Policy
U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works Committee · Sep 23
The Senate committee published its chair's opening statement for a hearing examining opportunities to update U.S. nuclear-waste management policy.
Department of Energy Provides Rare Salt Material to Natura Resources
DOE Office of Nuclear Energy · Sep 22
DOE and its national laboratories shipped more than 4,700 pounds of FLiBe salt to support Natura Resources' MSR-1 research reactor under development at Abilene Christian University.
Drones & Autonomy
What Can Cities Regulate About Drone Delivery?
DRONELIFE · Sep 28
DRONELIFE examines Northglenn, Colorado's proposed rules for drone launch hubs and the distinction between local land-use regulation and federal authority over aircraft operations.
U.S. Awards Amprius Up to $75 Million to Expand Domestic Drone Battery Production
DRONELIFE · Sep 28
DRONELIFE reports a federal award of up to $75 million for Amprius to convert an existing battery production line to support domestic drone-battery manufacturing.
Energy, Grid & Security
U.S. Department of Energy · Sep 24
DOE announced plans to help fund 31 grid-improvement projects across 26 states, combining $1.9 billion in federal funds with $3.35 billion in recipient funding.
New York audits utility AI use, cites risk in ‘growing dependency’
Utility Dive · Sep 24
Utility Dive reports that New York regulators launched an audit of gas, water and electric utilities' AI systems, including the adequacy of governance, policies and procedures.
Education & Workforce
IBM deploys z17 mainframe at Marist University to support AI research projects
Data Center Dynamics · Sep 28
IBM and New York's Marist University launched an innovation incubator deploying a z17 mainframe for students and researchers to develop and test AI applications.
General Motors invests $1.5M to advance STEM education in Michigan
Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity · Sep 24
Michigan announced a $1.5 million General Motors contribution supporting the MiSTEM Network and partnerships connecting elementary-school STEM learning with real-world applications.
It’s one system. We study it as one.
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