Daily Digest — June 4, 2026
Monterey Park Voters Approve Nation's First Permanent Data Center Ban by Ballot
Voters in Monterey Park, California, overwhelmingly approved Measure NDC, a ballot initiative that permanently bans data centers within city limits. According to the East Bay Times, the measure received approximately 86.8% of the vote in early returns. The ban can only be reversed by a future citywide ballot measure.
The measure was placed on the ballot by the Monterey Park City Council in March, following organized community opposition to a proposed 250,000-square-foot data center by HMC StratCap. As reported by the Bergen Record, HMC StratCap formally withdrew its application in April and agreed not to contest the ballot measure. Residents and advocacy groups had cited concerns over:
- Electricity consumption projected at three times the city's total usage
- Impacts on air quality and drinking water resources
- Noise pollution and rising electricity rates
According to Bisnow, Monterey Park had implemented a moratorium on new data center projects since late January before pursuing the permanent prohibition. The Data Center Coalition, an industry trade group, expressed disappointment, stating the ban sends a negative signal for economic development, as reported by the Hanford Sentinel. Community advocacy group San Gabriel Valley Progressive Action indicated it is now extending efforts to oppose data center proposals in nearby cities including City of Industry, Santa Fe Springs, Vernon, and City of Commerce.
With ‘overwhelming’ support, Monterey Park on cusp of California’s first data center ban
East Bay Times
Voters in Southern California city favor permanent data centers ban
Bergen Record
Monterey Park, California, passes first citywide data center ban in the nation
Bisnow
In a first for the country, voters in Southern California city of Monterey Park ban data centers
Hanford Sentinel
Monterey Park voters show overwhelming support for data center ban
CBS LA
Tonawanda Data Center Project Delayed Amid NYISO Backlog and Potential NY Statewide Moratorium
A proposed 300-megawatt data center at the former Tonawanda Coke site in Tonawanda, New York, has been delayed. According to Buffalo Toronto Public Media, the developer, Riverview Innovation and Technology Campus, paused its SEQRA and site plan review with the Town of Tonawanda Planning Board while awaiting clarification from NYISO and National Grid on power availability and infrastructure upgrades. The 300 MW power load — enough to serve roughly 180,000 homes — requires NYISO system studies that are expected to take several months due to a backlog.
As reported by WGRZ, Town Supervisor John Flynn characterized the project as "on hold," though the developer stated it remains committed to the site, where an estimated $100 million in remediation has already been completed. The delay also coincides with a New York state bill that would impose a one-year moratorium on new data center construction statewide — potentially the first such moratorium at the state level in the U.S.
Separately, over 100 residents attended a planning board meeting to voice opposition to the project. According to WGRZ, community members raised concerns about water and electricity consumption, potential harm to wildlife, and increased utility costs. The Planning Board unanimously voted to table the proposal. State Senator Jeremy Zellner, who co-sponsors the moratorium bill, voiced support for a pause to study data center impacts.
Tonawanda Town Supervisor John Flynn: Data center proposed for Tonawanda Coke site now 'on hold'
WGRZ
Residents voice concerns over proposed AI data center at former Tonawanda Coke site
WGRZ
Data center project at former Tonawanda Coke site on hold
Buffalo Toronto Public Media
Concerns voiced over Tonawanda data center proposal
WGRZ-TV
Tonawanda residents speak out against AI data center project
WIVBTV
Nashville Advances Data Center Regulations; Multiple Tennessee Cities Take Restrictive Action
The Metro Nashville City Council advanced new data center regulations through their first reading, as reported by WKRN News 2. The proposed ordinance responds to a DC Blox permit application for a 69,220-square-foot facility on 23.5 acres near the Nashville Zoo. According to the Tennessee Conservative, the ordinance would:
- Ban large data centers within a half-mile of homes, schools, churches, and zoos
- Mandate an approval process with rules governing water usage, emissions, power generation, and noise
The Nashville Zoo has declared "vehement opposition" to the DC Blox project, with its CEO calling the facility "a direct threat," according to The Business Journals.
Elsewhere in Tennessee, Cedar Hill has enacted a two-year moratorium on data center and cryptocurrency mine construction. McMinnville is considering a 12-month moratorium following plans for a 25-megawatt AI supercomputing facility, with over 2,600 residents signing an opposition petition. Governor Bill Lee recently signed legislation requiring data centers with peak electric demand of 50 MW or more to pay for their own infrastructure, though concerns remain that smaller facilities may fall below the threshold.
Proposed Tennessee Data Centers Draw Continued Citizen Pushback, Cities Considering Limiting Construction
Tennessee Conservative
Nashville Zoo CEO calls data center 'a direct threat'
The Business Journals
Metro Council to address data centers in Nashville
WSMV 4 Nashville
Metro Council advances data center regulations
WKRN News 2
Data center regulations pass first reading in Metro Nashville Council
WKRN News 2
Lakeland "Project Swan" Data Center Remains Active Despite Developer Canceling Review Meeting
A proposed 600,000-square-foot data center in Lakeland, Florida, codenamed "Project Swan," remains under city review despite the developer canceling a scheduled Development Review Team meeting. According to LkldNow, the City of Lakeland issued a correction after its permit tracking system erroneously listed the project as "Withdrawn." The city confirmed the proposal is still an active project.
As reported by the Winter Haven News Chief, city staff prepared a 13-page report flagging significant concerns:
- The city's Land Development Code has no zoning category for data centers, making them a "prohibited use" unless otherwise determined
- The site lies in a high-risk FEMA Zone A floodplain
- Substantial electrical power and water demands
- Limited wastewater capacity in western Lakeland
- Incompatibility with the city's vision for the area as a business park
According to Tampa Bay 28, residents and local figures including the Polk County Republican Party chairman are calling for a moratorium on data center development. An online petition advocating a temporary moratorium has been launched. No public hearing or vote has been scheduled, and the next steps depend on the developer's response to city staff comments, with no deadline currently set.
After backlash over Project Swan, some call for data center moratorium in Lakeland
Tampa Bay 28
Lakeland data center still under review. City staff raise concerns
Winter Haven News Chief
After backlash over Project Swan, some call for data center moratorium
Tampa Bay 28
Proposal for Lakeland data center on hold after key meeting cancelled
WMNF 88.5 FM
Still Active: City Issues Correction, Clarification on Proposed Data Center Status
LkldNow
Scarborough, Maine Enacts 180-Day Data Center Moratorium
The Scarborough Town Council unanimously approved a 180-day moratorium on data center construction, effective immediately and retroactive to proposals submitted on or after April 1. According to the Portland Press Herald, the action directly impacts a plan submitted by developer Daniel Dickinson for a 140,000-square-foot "Scarborough Technology Park" on a 52-acre lot, which town officials had previously rejected as incomplete in April.
As reported by WGME, residents cited concerns about noise pollution and environmental impacts on nearby marshes and wetlands. The developer's attorney argued that impacts were speculative and that the property had been purchased in 2022 with prior construction approval, though town leaders clarified that approval did not specifically account for data center use.
Scarborough joins other Maine communities — Sanford, Westbrook, Gorham, and Brunswick — in implementing local data center pauses. These local actions followed Governor Janet Mills' veto of a temporary statewide data center ban. Several residents advocated extending the moratorium or establishing a permanent ban during the council meeting.
