Pioneer Village Council Places Moratorium on Data Centers
The Pioneer Village Council has enacted a six-month moratorium on data centers following a planning commission meeting about a proposed project. Council members expressed concerns over high energy usage and potential health impacts from sound levels. The moratorium will allow the village to conduct further due diligence.
The Pioneer Village Council approved a six-month moratorium on data centers after a village planning commission meeting reviewed a data center proposal. The moratorium, passed by a 6-0 vote on Monday, Sept. 14, temporarily halts any village action on proposed data centers.
The decision was largely influenced by council member Brock Zuver, who expressed concerns about potential high energy usage, noting that the existing 20-megawatt electricity contract for the property could be bought out by a data center developer seeking more power. Zuver also highlighted health concerns related to data center noise levels, citing risks such as chronic cardiovascular stress, sleep disturbances, and cognitive impairment. He emphasized the importance of protecting the health and well-being of Pioneer citizens and ensuring due diligence.
Developer Tom Cervenka of Cervenka Development Partners had previously informed the planning commission of his intent to purchase property from AquaBounty Technologies to construct a 20-megawatt data center. Village Solicitor Tom Thompson clarified that the moratorium does not alter existing zoning regulations, which still require planning commission approval and a council ordinance.