Henderson rejects data center moratorium, instead exploring code changes
The Henderson City Council rejected a proposed 180-day moratorium on new data center construction, opting instead to develop more permanent code changes and require individually negotiated development agreements for future data centers. This decision, made despite public and environmental group opposition, aims to address concerns about energy use, noise, and environmental impacts more effectively than a temporary pause. The city will now work on a framework of laws and ordinances for future data center licensing.
The Henderson City Council voted against implementing a 180-day moratorium on data center construction, choosing instead to pursue permanent code changes and require individualized development agreements for any future data center projects. Mayor Michelle Romero, who initially proposed the moratorium, stated that city staff will now focus on developing comprehensive regulations for licensing data centers within city limits.
City attorney Nicholas Vaskov explained that code changes would offer a more enduring and effective solution compared to a temporary moratorium, which has a limited defensibility period. Currently, there are no pending data center applications before the council. The Sierra Club Toiyabe Chapter and Henderson residents expressed disappointment, advocating for a temporary pause to allow the city to develop robust regulations amidst ongoing concerns about data center impacts.
Neighboring Southern Nevada municipalities, including Boulder City and Clark County, are also considering new data center regulations in response to the demands of the artificial intelligence boom. Concerns raised by residents during the meeting centered on excessive energy consumption, noise pollution, and broader environmental impacts. Henderson is home to a Google data center, noted for its significant water use, although its older evaporative cooling methods were banned in 2023.
The region, particularly Clark County, has a substantial data center presence, including facilities operated by Switch, one of the oldest data center companies in the country. Councilmember Carrie Cox highlighted Switch's use of renewable energy as a positive example.