Escambia County considers ban on data centers after citizens protest
Escambia County Commissioners are considering a ban on data centers following significant citizen protests over concerns about electricity and water consumption, environmental impact, and job creation. The County Attorney is drafting an ordinance to implement the ban, which will be presented at public hearings in July and August. This action follows rumors of potential data center development in the area, though economic development leaders deny active negotiations for hyperscale facilities.
Escambia County Commissioners are moving to consider a ban on data centers after dozens of residents protested at a recent board meeting, expressing concerns about the facilities' demands on electricity and water, potential environmental threats, and limited job benefits.
The issue, initially not on the June 17 agenda, was added for discussion following a large public turnout opposing data centers. Residents, including Christy Rosen, urged the board to ban any AI data centers, stating that the costs far outweigh the benefits to the community. Commissioner Lumon May also declared he would "never vote for a data center."
County Attorney Alison Rogers recommended drafting an ordinance to ban data centers, framed as an "environmental protective-type ban" to circumvent state legislation, specifically Florida Senate Bill 180, which limits moratoriums and restrictive land-use measures following hurricanes. Economic development leaders, including FloridaWest CEO Chris Platé, clarified that while a non-disclosure agreement was signed with a defense company exploring a smaller data center, there are no active negotiations for standalone or hyperscale data centers, which they say the region's power capacity cannot support.
The board agreed for Rogers to draft the ordinance, which will be presented at a public hearing on July 23, with a potential vote on August 6.