Brownsville Passes 90-Day Data Center Moratorium
The Brownsville City Commission approved a 90-day moratorium on accepting, processing or approving data center applications within the city. Officials cited concerns about water use, pollution, power demand and the lack of data center-specific rules, and may extend the freeze for another 90 days.
Brownsville commissioners approved a 90-day moratorium that took effect Thursday and bars the acceptance, processing and approval of data center applications within city limits through Feb. 3, 2027. The action followed months of debate over the potential effects of high-intensity data centers on water supplies, pollution, electricity demand, noise, land use and infrastructure.
The moratorium followed a withdrawn permit request for a proposed project at a former Walmart site. City Manager Alan Guard said the application was withdrawn July 29, while Mayor John Cowen Jr. identified the applicant as Randr Ventures LLC. Cowen said the pause will allow the city to evaluate and update zoning and development standards; officials expect to consider a second 90-day extension, which would bring the total moratorium to the 180-day limit allowed under state law.