Daily Digest — June 22, 2026
Cleveland Weighs Data Center Moratorium While Existing Facilities Expand
Cleveland's City Council is scheduled to hold a hearing this Thursday on a proposed moratorium on new data center developments, according to Signal Cleveland. The council has already rejected a proposed 150-megawatt facility in the Slavic Village neighborhood. Brian Kazy, chair of the Utilities Committee, said he would approach the hearing with an open mind.
Meanwhile, the Cuyahoga County government has issued recommendations to its member cities on managing data center growth, including:
- Refusing to sign non-disclosure agreements with developers
- Establishing zoning regulations with stipulations for energy, water usage, noise, and setbacks
Despite the proposed moratorium, Cleveland already hosts several established smaller-scale data centers. As reported by Signal Cleveland, H5 Data Centers operates a facility on Rockwell Avenue that consumes approximately 8 megawatts and is planning a $30 million expansion. BlueBridge operates a 2.1-megawatt data center in the Sterling Building and has begun AI computing at its Cleveland and Columbus locations.
Luther, Oklahoma Enacts Six-Month Data Center Moratorium
The Luther Board of Trustees has enacted a six-month moratorium on data center rezoning and permitting, effective until December 31, according to KOSU. The decision came during a contentious outdoor meeting where hundreds of residents voiced opposition to a proposed 320-acre facility by Atlanta-based Beltline Energy.
As reported by Mustang News, residents cited concerns about:
- Water resources and groundwater strain
- Emergency services capacity, including a largely volunteer fire department
- Noise, air and light pollution
- Property value impacts
The moratorium applies to both new proposals and existing applications, including Beltline Energy's project, and can be extended. Luther joins other Oklahoma communities — including Edmond, Oklahoma City, Tulsa, and Broken Arrow — that have implemented similar development pauses.
Town Manager Rian Harkins indicated the town may seek proposals for an environmental impact study of the Beltline project. Mayor Terry Arps confirmed he signed a draft NDA with the developer last year, but the Board of Trustees declined to ratify it. State lawmakers are also advancing the Data Center Ratepayer Protection Act of 2026 through early legislative stages.
Henderson, Nevada Explores 180-Day Data Center Moratorium
Henderson, Nevada, is considering a 180-day moratorium on new data center permit approvals, according to the Las Vegas Review-Journal. Mayor Michelle Romero personally proposed the pause following outreach from tech companies, with city staff set to study potential code changes addressing air quality, heat generation, site selection, and decommissioning plans.
Energy capacity is a major constraint for data center expansion in the state. NV Energy has reported requests for 39 proposed projects that would demand 16,530 megawatts — roughly double the state's current peak load capacity of 8,241 megawatts. The Southern Nevada Water Authority has already implemented a ban on evaporative cooling for data centers constructed after 2023.
Other Nevada jurisdictions addressing data center development include:
- Nye County, which has already approved a temporary moratorium
- Reno, Churchill County, and Humboldt County, which have also been reviewing data center policies
- Clark County, where Switch recently secured planning commission approval for a new facility
The Sierra Club's Toiyabe chapter has been engaging Henderson officials to recommend moratoriums and code updates ahead of the 2027 Nevada Legislature session.
California Faces New Wave of Data Center Legislation and Local Restrictions
Several data center-related bills are advancing through the California Legislature, as reported by The Daily Gazette. Governor Gavin Newsom previously vetoed a bill requiring water usage estimates from proposed data centers, but new measures include:
- **SB 886** (Sen. Steve Padilla): Proposes a corporate tariff for data center-related grid upgrades
- **SB 887**: Seeks to prevent data centers from receiving CEQA exemptions
- **AB 2619** (Asm. Diane Papan): Would mandate water usage estimates under penalty of perjury
- **AB 1577** (Asm. Rebecca Bauer-Kahan): Would require monthly reporting of water and fuel consumption to a state commission
At the local level, Monterey Park recently became the first city in the nation to ban data centers by public vote. In Imperial County, the board of supervisors enacted a 45-day moratorium on new data centers, and the City of Imperial has filed a lawsuit against the county, arguing a proposed 950,000-square-foot project should not have received a CEQA exemption. The San Diego Chapter of the Sierra Club has joined that legal challenge.
