Charlestown considers ban on data centers, battery storage systems
Charlestown officials are actively developing an ordinance to prohibit data centers and Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) within the town. The proposed ordinance would define these as "prohibited uses," and a public hearing is scheduled for August 11th to discuss the measure.
The town of Charlestown, Rhode Island, is drafting an ordinance to proactively ban the establishment and operation of data centers and Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) within its municipal limits. Town Council President Deborah Carney stated that the ordinance would define both technologies as "prohibited uses." Councilor Bonnie Van Slyke has volunteered to sponsor the ordinance, with a public hearing scheduled for Tuesday, August 11, at 7 p.m. at town hall.
The initiative stems from concerns about potential negative environmental impacts, with Carney referencing issues reported by neighboring communities regarding BESS implementation. Van Slyke also highlighted the growing nationwide concerns surrounding data centers, noting that the Rhode Island Legislature is considering bills related to tax exemptions and compliance reporting for such facilities. The town of Smithfield, Rhode Island, has already enacted a similar ban on data centers, citing their significant demands for electricity, backup power, and cooling systems, classifying them more akin to utility facilities than traditional office buildings.