Oklahoma City leaders tighten rules on data centers amid growing energy concerns
The Oklahoma City Council approved updated temporary rules for data centers, limiting high-energy projects and clarifying zoning definitions. This action follows a temporary moratorium enacted in April, and further review of regulations is expected. One proposed project will be allowed to proceed under water-use restrictions.
The Oklahoma City Council has voted to tighten temporary regulations concerning data centers within city limits, responding to growing energy concerns and the proliferation of high-energy developments. The new rules, approved on Tuesday, establish limits for large-scale data center projects with significant electricity consumption and provide clearer definitions for data center facilities under the city's zoning code.
This decision follows a temporary moratorium that the council enacted in April, which effectively halted new data center applications, rezoning requests, and construction or expansion permits. The updated regulations aim to grant the city greater oversight over data center development, ensuring that a facility's operation aligns with zoning requirements.
City officials indicated that one proposed data center project situated along Reno Avenue would still be permitted to advance, provided it adheres to specific water-use restrictions. While leaders did not announce any changes to the existing moratorium timeline, they confirmed that a comprehensive review of data center regulations is still ongoing.