Fragmented, Utility-Controlled, and Procedurally Burdensome Data Systems. Local governments must navigate fragmented and non-aligned datasets across state agencies, utilities, MPOs, and regional entities, with no single authoritative access point. This fragmentation—compounded by legalistic, slow utility data-request processes—forces duplicative reconciliation work, increases staff burden, delays access, and makes it difficult to track progress or align planning and policy across agencies.