Daily Digest — May 20, 2026
Westbrook, Maine Unanimously Enacts 180-Day Data Center Moratorium
The Westbrook City Council voted unanimously to implement a 180-day moratorium on new data center construction and applications, according to NEWS CENTER Maine. The freeze takes effect immediately and will give city staff time to draft specific land-use ordinances, noise limits, and environmental safeguards before the pause expires.
The moratorium follows public concerns about strain on electrical and water infrastructure, rising utility costs, and quality-of-life issues. At a recent planning board meeting, residents cited noise and light pollution, odors, and what they described as unfulfilled promises of job creation, as reported by WGME. Westbrook joins Bangor — the first Maine municipality to enact such a moratorium — while Scarborough is also considering a temporary ban. These local actions follow the recent veto of a statewide data center ban.
Temple, Texas Recall Effort Gains Thousands of Signatures Over Data Center Approvals
Residents in Temple, Texas, are advancing a recall effort targeting Mayor Tim Davis, Mayor Pro Tem Jessica Walker, and Council Member Mike Pilkington following the council's April vote to advance a Rowan Digital Infrastructure data center proposal. According to KCENTV, over 100 residents attended a May 18 town hall organized by the grassroots group Temple Stands Together, which has gathered thousands of signatures as reported by 25 News KXXV.
Concerns raised at the town hall included:
- Lack of transparency from city leaders and developers
- Potential strain on water and energy resources
- Temple's 2022 water plan not accounting for future data center growth
Adrian Shelley of Public Citizen noted that legislative action may be needed for an updated water plan before 2027. Organizers plan to continue collecting signatures ahead of an approaching deadline and intend to ask local commissioners to consider a moratorium on data center development, according to KCENNews.
Temple residents seek recall of city council over data center plans
KCENTV.com
Temple residents near deadline for recall petition over data center developments
25 News KXXV
Residents pushing to recall Temple City Council members over data center plans
KVUE
Temple Data Center Recall Push Gains Thousands of Signatures
25 News KXXV
Temple residents continue to push recall effort as deadline approaches
KCENNews
Harford County, Maryland Advances Emergency Bill to Permanently Ban Data Centers
The Harford County Council voted unanimously to advance a bill that would permanently prohibit data centers in the county, treating it as emergency legislation, according to WBAL-TV. The new measure, Bill No. 26-011, was submitted by County Executive Bob Cassilly on May 6 and effectively replaces an earlier proposal (Bill No. 26-005) that would have imposed a 180-day moratorium.
Cassilly cited research into data center impacts across the country, concluding they are "not appropriate for Harford County." Data centers are not currently specifically permitted under the county's zoning code. During a public hearing, residents raised concerns about environmental impacts and property values. Bill Vasilakopoulos, owner of Mountain Branch Golf Course who plans to build a data center on his property, argued against a ban and in favor of strong local standards, citing potential benefits including hundreds of jobs and over $100 million in annual tax revenue. A public hearing on the ban is scheduled for June 9; if approved, it would take immediate effect, as reported by WMAR-2 News.
Dubuque County Zoning Commission Unanimously Recommends Data Center Moratorium
The Dubuque County Zoning Commission voted unanimously on May 19 to recommend a moratorium on future data center development to the county Board of Supervisors, according to the Telegraph Herald. The commission has also begun discussions on new ordinances and zoning regulations specifically for data centers, as reported by KWWL 7.
The recommendation came after substantial community turnout: approximately 100 people attended the meeting in person, with an additional 300 participating online, all expressing opposition to data center construction in the county, according to the Telegraph Herald. The Board of Supervisors will now consider the recommendation.
Amazon Announces "Project Cascade" Operations Facility in Arlington, Washington
Amazon is in early planning stages for "Project Cascade," a new operations facility at 172nd Street and 67th Avenue in the Cascade Industrial Center in Arlington, Washington, according to My Everett News. The facility is intended to support customer delivery services in the Central and North Puget Sound area.
In response to public inquiries, the City of Arlington has released additional information emphasizing that the proposed facility is distinct from a typical data center. Amazon has stated its commitment to community engagement and collaboration with local officials as the project progresses.
