Holyoke votes to ban future data centers
The Holyoke City Council has voted to enact an ordinance banning future data centers from all zoning districts in the city. This decision follows significant resident opposition to a proposed $200 million data center on Water Street, which residents argued was not suitable for the city's green energy profile.
The Holyoke City Council voted Tuesday night to pass an ordinance that prohibits data centers from all zoning districts throughout the city. This decision came after a proposed $200 million data center project on Water Street sparked considerable debate and opposition among residents.
The ordinance passed with a nine to four vote, effectively banning new data center developments. Developers of the now-blocked project had argued it would bring investment to a vacant industrial site and boost local utility revenue. However, residents like Christine Futia expressed concerns about the environmental and social impact of such a facility, distinguishing it from an existing nonprofit academic data center in the city that utilizes green energy.
Futia was among 430 residents who signed a petition opposing the for-profit, high-intensity AI data center project. The city council’s ordinance committee had recommended defining data centers as a specific land use and imposing a citywide ban.
While the council has acted, the developers issued a statement indicating they view the decision as an "opportunity" to design a project that aligns with the city's comfort level and guidelines, suggesting potential future engagement.