Quorum Court rejects data center moratorium that would have given AVAIO a "free pass"
The Pulaski County Quorum Court rejected a proposed 12-month data center moratorium, which had been criticized for exempting the first phase of AVAIO Digital's project in Wrightsville. Residents voiced strong concerns over potential impacts on water, electricity, and rural life. Despite the vote, the Quorum Court may revisit regulatory discussions.
The Pulaski County Quorum Court held a contentious meeting where County Judge Barry Hyde issued warnings to the audience, particularly Wrightsville residents concerned about a proposed data center. Justice of the Peace Tina Ward delivered an invocation emphasizing public service.
The central issue was a proposed 12-month moratorium on data centers in unincorporated Pulaski County, which included a controversial carve-out for Phase One of AVAIO Digital's project in Wrightsville. This first phase, a 30-acre buildout, is projected to use 150 megawatts of power and up to 4 million gallons of water daily, raising fears among residents about fire hazards, rolling blackouts, water depletion, and increased electricity prices.
An amendment proposed by Justice of the Peace Steven Person to include AVAIO's initial phase in the moratorium failed. Subsequently, the main ordinance for the 12-month data center moratorium was rejected by a 10-3 vote. Reports had indicated that AVAIO Digital's legal team and utility company Entergy had consulted with county officials on the moratorium language.
Despite the moratorium's rejection, Justice of the Peace Patricia Young-Baker suggested a tour of a data center facility, signaling that the Quorum Court's discussions on data center regulation are likely to continue.