Aurora City Council moves forward with new data center regulations
Aurora City Council rejected a six-month moratorium on new data center development. Instead, the council approved a resolution that directs the city manager to draft new regulations within 35 days, focusing on buffer zones and banning evaporative cooling for data centers. The new rules would not impact existing or under-construction data centers.
The Aurora City Council voted down a six-month moratorium on new data center development, opting instead for a more targeted approach to regulation. Councilor Amy Wiles, who sponsored the proposed moratorium, expressed her desire to allow the city time to establish comprehensive rules for data center construction and water use. However, her proposal was narrowly defeated.
Following the rejection of the moratorium, the City Council passed a separate resolution. This resolution mandates the city manager to develop new regulations within 35 days. Key areas for these new rules include establishing buffer zones for data centers in specific areas and implementing a ban on evaporative cooling, a water-intensive system that can consume millions of gallons daily. The council aimed to balance fostering new development with protecting residents' interests, acknowledging that Aurora already hosts nine data centers, with five more currently under construction. These existing and under-construction facilities are not expected to be affected by the upcoming regulations.